UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00022226057 


THE  SPRITE  AND  THE  vera.     Page  go.     Frontispiece. 


LOBSTER  CATCHERS 

A   STORY 
OF  THE  COAST  OF  MAINE 


BY 
JAMES   OTIS 

author  of  "an  amateur  fireman  ' 
"the  life  savers,"  etc. 


NEW   YORK 

E.  P.  DUTTON  &  COMPANY 

31   West  Twenty-third  Street 


Copyright,  1900 

BY 

E.  P.  DUTTON  &  CO, 


Ube  Iknicfeeibocfcer  jprees,  Iftew  IPorfc 


GREETING  : 

TO  THE  LADS  OF  THE  LOBSTER  FISHERY,  WHOSE  HEARTS  ARE  AS 
TRUE  AS  THEIR  DORIES  ARE  STANCH  J  WHOSE  HANDS  OPEN  WIDE 
AS  THE  MOUTHS  OF  THEIR  TRAPS  TO  WHOMSOEVER  ASKETH  FOR 
A    BITE    OR    FOR    SHELTER  ! 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER 

PAGE 

I. 

THE    JORDAN    FARM       .... 

I 

II. 

ON    SHARES              

20 

III. 

LOBSTERS      ...... 

•       37 

IV. 

THE    "  SPRITE  "    . 

.       50 

V. 

THE    FIRST    CRUISE         .... 

.       67 

VI. 

THE    SIGNAL    OF    DISTRESS    . 

.       S4 

VII. 

THE    "VERA'S"    CAPTAIN      . 

102 

VIII. 

A    MATTER    OF    SALVAGE 

11? 

IX. 

PIRATES 

.     136 

X. 

STRAIGHTENING    ACCOUNTS 

•     154 

XI. 

THE    WRECK           ..... 

■     173 

XII. 

RESTORATION 

.     190 

XIII. 

JETHRO    DEARING'S    VENTURE 

.     207 

XIV. 

MR.    HAMILTON 

.     224 

XV. 

OVERBOARD             ..... 

.     241 

XVI. 

THE    SURPRISE 

.     253 

XVII. 

A    SUMMONS 

•     275 

XVIII. 

A   DREAM    REALIZED     .... 

.     292 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 


THE  sprite  AND  THE  vera.     Frontispiece 

captain  ike's  home       .... 

emptying  lobster  cars  and  measuring 

captain  skillings's  warehouse 

cages  for  boiling  lobsters 

packing  after  boiling 

tom  dawson's  farm 

tom  dawson  and  his  lobster  pots 

dave  roberts  "  hauling  his  pots  " 

jethro  dearing's  place 

weighing  lobsters.     ready  for  shipment 

hauling  up  a  lobster  car  for  repairs 


PAGE 

go 
38 
46 
68 
116 

134 
140 
144 
176 
212 
244 
274 


LOBSTER  CATCHERS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   JORDAN   FARM. 

"  HPHE  farm  is  worn  out,  Stephen,  and  you  '11 
1  never  be  able  to  get  a  livin'  from  it  till  the 
land  has  had  a  rest.  For  the  last  twenty  years  your 
father  has  been  takin'  from  it  without  considerin' 
that  it  was  his  duty  to  put  somethin'  back  in  the 
way  of  fertilizer,  an'  the  soil  is  reg'larly  starved.  It 
'11  take  both  money  an'  time  to  get  the  place  into  such 
shape  that  you  could  earn  day  wages  workin'  it." 

"  And  in  the  meantime,  mother  and  the  children 
must  be  clothed  and  fed." 

"  There  's  no  gainsayin'  that,  Stephen  Jordan,  an' 
it  's  your  business  to  see  they  don't  come  to  want. 
In  my  day,  a  big,  hulkin'  boy  of  fifteen,  or  there- 
abouts, was  counted  equal  to  a  man." 

"  I  can  do  a  man's  work,  Uncle  Joshua,  and  have 
done  so  since  father  died.     I  carried   on  the  farm 

last  season  with  but  one  helper " 

An'  fell  behind  on  the  year's  work." 

"  I  am  twenty-nine  dollars  in  debt  to  Dyer  &  Jose 
i 


2  Lobster  Catchers. 

for  phosphate.  All  the  other  bills  have  been 
paid,  and  I  've  got  the  crop  of  cabbages,  which 
should " 

"  Cabbage  is  sellin'  for  eight  dollars  a  ton,  an' 
that  ain't  more  'n  enough  to  pay  for  haulin'  'em." 
I  've  got  about  nine  tons,  and  even  though  the 
price  is  low,  I  '11  be  glad  of  the  little  they  bring  in, 
because  mother  needs  to  buy  things  which  the  chil- 
dren must  have  before  winter  comes." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  your  mother  has 
spent  all  the  money  your  father  left  ?  "  and  Deacon 
Joshua  Brackett,  looked  sternly  at  his  nephew. 

"  Yes,  it  's  all  gone,"  Stephen  replied  mournfully. 
"  After  the  bills  were  paid,  we  had  two  hundred  and 
ten  dollars." 

"  An'  squandered  it  in  less  than  fifteen  months 
after  your  father  was  laid  in  the  grave !  ' ' 

"  Surely  it  was  n't  squandered,  Uncle  Joshua. 
You  must  remember  that  there  are  five  children  of 
us.     A  family  of  six  is  quite  a  large  one 

"  There  's  no  need  of  spendin'  good  money 
buyin'  luxuries,  'specially  when  you  ain't  over- 
burdened with  this  world's  goods." 

"  We  have  made  every  cent  count,  Uncle  Joshua, 
and  you  know  full  well  that  there  have  been  no 
luxuries  in  our  house.  I  wanted  mother  to  buy  a 
new  winter  dress;  but  she  refused  to  do  anything 
of  the  kind  while  we  're  in  debt." 


The  Jordan  Farm.  3 

"  That  's  where  she  shows  a  little  of  the  Brackett 
blood,  although  it  was  hardly  to  be  expected  after 
she  'd  been  among  the  Jordans  so  long.  I  'm  afraid 
she  '11  do  without  a  new  dress  quite  a  spell,  if  she 
don't  buy  one  till  you  're  out  of  debt.  Every  year 
you  try  to  run  that  farm,  while  the  land  is  needin'  a 
rest,  will  see  you  deeper  in  the  mire." 

"  I  believe  it,  Uncle  Joshua,  for  father  has  n't 
made  a  dollar  these  four  years,  although  I  did  work 
enough  to  save  a  man's  wages.  That  's  why  I  'm 
here  to-day " 

"  I  allowed  your  mother  would  get  the  idee  into 
her  head  that  I  had  money  to  throw  away,  though 
I  did  n't  think  she  'd  be  tryin'  for  it  so  soon." 

"  She  is  n't  trying  to  get  your  money,  Uncle 
Joshua,"  Stephen  replied  quickly,  as  a  crimson 
flush  came  over  his  face.  "  Mother  does  n't  even 
know  I  came  here  to  see  you." 

"  Then  it  's  all  your  idee,  eh  ?  " 

"  What  ?" 

"  Countin'  on  my  supportin'  Ben  Jordan's 
family." 

"  I  never  so  much  as  thought  of  such  a  thing, 
Uncle  Joshua.  Mother  and  I  knew,  before  father 
died,  that  the  farm  was  run  down;  but  we  hoped  to 
raise  enough  on  it  last  year  to  pay  our  bills.  Even 
after  the  cabbages  are  sold,  there  won't  be  as  much 
left  as  will  be  needed  between  now  and  spring;  so  I 


4  Lobster  Catchers. 

thought  I  'd  ask  your  advice  as  to  what  should  be 
done." 

"  Oh,  you  did,  eh  ?  "  and  the  deacon  looked  sus- 
piciously at  his  nephew.  I  don't  reckon  you  'd  take 
my  advice  if  it  did  n't  happen  to  please  you." 

"  I  should  be  very  thankful  for  it,"  Stephen 
replied,  not  minded  to  bind  himself  in  any  way,  for 
while  he  had  great  respect  for  the  opinion  of  this, 
his  mother's  only  brother,  he  knew  full  well  that 
the  deacon  entertained  odd  ideas  as  to  how  others 
ought  to  gain  a  livelihood. 

"  You  've  got  hay  an'  wood  enough  to  last  till 
spring,  I  reckon  ? ' ' 

"Yes,  sir?" 

"  That  shoat  will  be  ready  for  killin'  about  Thanks- 
givin'  time  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Then,  I  can't  see  as  you  're  so  very  bad  off. 
Why  don't  you  sell  the  horse,  an'  save  what  it  '11 
cost  to  feed  him  ?  " 

"  Because  he  '11  be  needed  if  we  do  any  farming 
next  season;  and,  besides,  he  's  so  old  that  it  would 
be  hard  work  to  find  any  one  who  'd  give  ten  dollars 
for  him." 

"  Ten  dollars  ain't  to  be  sneezed  at,  Stephen. 
How  about  lobsterin'  ?  Did  n't  you  allow  one  spell 
that  you  could  make  considerable  more  'n  a  livin' 
at  it  ?" 


The  Jordan  Farm.  5 

"  I  still  believe  there  is  more  to  be  earned  catching 
lobsters  than  by  cultivating  such  a  farm  as  ours," 
Stephen  replied,  with  no  slight  show  of  animation. 
"  I  am  setting  twenty  pots  now,  which  is  all  I  can 
attend  to  in  a  tide,  because  considerable  time  is 
required  for  the  netting  of  bait " 

"  Then  what  's  to  hinder  your  earnin'  all  the 
money  that  may  be  needed,  if  you  've  figgered  the 
business  out  right  ?  " 

"  I  never  counted  on  earning  very  much  by  catch- 
ing them  myself,  Uncle  Joshua.  When  winter  sets 
in,  I  would  n't  be  able  to  haul  the  pots  oftener  than 
once  or  twice  a  week,  without  some  one  to  help  me, 
and  of  course  I  could  n't  afford  to  hire  anybody." 

"  It  seems  to  me,  come  to  think  of  it,  that  your 
mother  said  somethin'  about  an  idee  you  had  of 
goin'  into  the  business  pretty  steep — buyin'  'em  of 
the  catchers,  an'  sellin'  to  the  big  dealers  in  Port- 
land an'  Boston,  eh  ?  " 

"  That  is  what  I  want  to  do,  Uncle  Joshua!  " 
Stephen  replied,  failing  in  his  eagerness  to  note 
the  tinge  of  sarcasm  in  the  deacon's  tones.  "  I  am 
certain  it  would  be  possible  to  earn  good  wages  at 
the  business.  I  know  of  eight  fishermen  who  would 
sell  to  me,  and  it  should  be  a  simple  matter  to  find 
as  many  more ;  for  now,  with  no  buyers  hereabouts, 
each  one  must  go  into  Portland  in  order  to  sell  his 
catch ' ' 


6  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Then,  why  don't  you  start  the  business,  instead 
of  figgerin'  how  to  run  the  Ben  Jordan  farm  at  a 
profit  when  it  can't  be  done  ?  " 

I  want  to  do  so;  but  a  fellow  must  have  some 
little  capital " 

"  And  so  you  counted  on  gettin'  it  from  me, 
under  cover  of  askin'  my  advice,  eh  ?  " 

No,  Uncle  Joshua;  I  'm  not  so  mean  as  to  do 
that.  It  really  was  your  advice  I  came  for,  and  not 
your  money,  though  I  may  have  thought  you  might 
help  me  to  raise  it." 

I  allowed  you  had  some  idee  of  tryin'  to  get 
the  best  of  me  through  relationship.  But  since  it  's 
only  advice  you  've  come  for,  let  's  see  what  I  can 
do  in  that  line.  Don't  get  to  thinkin'  that  what 
was  good  enough  for  your  father  ain't  good  enough 
for  you ;  but  settle  down  here  knowin'  you  '11  have 
a  hard  struggle  to  earn  a  livin'.  You  may  pick 
up  an  odd  job  now  an'  then  this  winter,  an'  next 
spring  it  should  be  easy  to  find  a  place  on  some 
farm. ' ' 

"  I  could  n't  earn  enough  to  keep  the  family  and 
pay  the  taxes." 

It  ain't  to  be  expected  you  could.  But  that 
way  of  gettin'  along  is  a  heap  better  than  runnin'  a 
worn-out  farm." 

"  At  the  end  of  a  year,  I  can't  hope  to  have  a 
single  cent  more  than  I  've  got  this  minute." 


The  Jordan  Farm.  7 

"  I  reckon  there  's  a  deal  of  truth  in  that.  But 
how  can  you  better  it  ?  " 

"  By  going  into  the  business  of  buying  and  selling 
lobsters.  The  fishermen  alongshore  will  deal  with 
me  if  I  can  raise  money  enough  to  make  a  start." 

"  How  much  are  you  needin'  ?  "  Deacon  Brackett 
asked  in  a  peculiar  tone. 

"  One  hundred  and  twenty  dollars." 

"  One  hund —  Look  here,  Stephen,  go  home  an' 
find  some  work  that  '11  drive  such  idees  out  of  your 
head.  One  hundred  an'  twenty  dollars  to  put  into 
what  you  call  the  lobster  business!  I  don't  wonder 
you  wanted  advice.  Was  you  countin'  on  dealin' 
in  'em  same  's  them  Chicago  folks  have  been  doin' 
with  wheat  ? ' ' 

"  But  that  is  n't  so  very  much,  Uncle  Joshua, 
when  you  consider  what  is  to  be  done.  In  order 
to  run  up  and  down  the  coast,  stopping  at  the 
islands  and  out-of-the-way  places  where  fishermen 
don't  have  much  chance  to  sell  their  catch,  a  little 
steamer  is  needed.  Now,  Captain  Skillings  offers  to 
sell  me  the  Sprite  for  five  hundred  dollars — one 
hundred  down,  and  the  balance  when  I  can  earn 
it.  After  making  that  trade,  I  'd  have  twenty 
dollars  left  with  which  to  buy  a  cargo.     I  'd  burn 

wood  on  the  boat  instead  of  coal,  and " 

Goin'    to    buy  a  steamboat,    eh  ?     Well,    look 
here,  Stephen  Jordan:  it  ain't  my  advice  you  need 


8  Lobster  Catchers. 

— you  're  in  search  of  a  millionaire,  that  's  what 
you  're  wantin' !  " 

"  Don't  you  think  any  one  could  make  good 
wages  buying  and  selling  lobsters,  Uncle  Joshua  ? " 
Stephen  asked  earnestly,  determined  to  discuss  the 
matter  thoroughly,  now  that  he  had  brought  it 
up. 

I  ain't  denyin'  but  there  's  a  dollar  to  be  made 
by  them  as  knows  how.  But  you  're  talkin'  of  in- 
vestin'  a  big  pile  of  money  before  you  've  so  much 
as  begun;  an'  —  Stephen  Jordan,  do  you  allow 
there  's  anybody  roundabout  here  who  'd  be  willin' 
to  lend  you  an  hundred  an'  twenty  dollars  ?  " 

"  Mother  could  borrow  it  for  me,  if  you  thought 
it  was  all  right.     She  said  I  must  talk  with  you " 

"  An'  you  've  come  thinkin'  I  'd  agree  to  see 
your  mother  the  same  as  throw  herself  into  the 
poorhouse,  which  is  what  she  'd  be  doin'  when  she 
mortgaged  the  farm  to  help  you  out  on  such  a  wild 
goose  scheme !  " 

"  You  say  I  can't  make  a  living  on  the  farm  until 
considerable  money  has  been  spent  to  enrich  the 
land,  and  it  is  true  that  I  won't  be  able  to  earn 
enough  hereabouts  this  winter  to  pay  the  provision 
bills;  therefore,  why  is  n't  it  as  well  to  mortgage 
what  we  can  neither  sell  nor  work  at  a  profit  ?  " 

Fully  a  minute  elapsed  before  Deacon  Brackett 
could    make    what    he   deemed   a   suitable   reply, 


The  Jordan  Farm.  9 

because  of  the  anger  which  appeared  to  have  taken 
possession  of  him. 

He  made  several  vain  attempts  to  speak,  and  then 
shook  his  clenched  hand  within  a  few  inches  of 
Stephen's  face,  as  if  such  a  gesture  gave  him  more 
command  over  his  tongue. 

Don't  you  ever  dare  mention  such  a  thing  again 
in  my  presence,  Stephen  Jordan !  I  '11  see  your 
mother  at  once,  an'  let  her  understand  plainly  that 
if  she  gives  in  to  your  reckless  extravagance  I  shall 
wash  my  hands  of  her  an'  hers  forever!  " 

Then  the  deacon,  so  angry  as  to  appear  almost 
dignified,  stalked  away  in  the  direction  of  the  "  Ben 
Jordan  farm,"  and  Stephen,  with  hands  thrust  deep 
in  his  pockets,  stood  staring  after  him  in  what  was 
very  like  despair,  as  he  said  to  himself: 

"  It  's  my  only  chance  of  supporting  the  family, 
since  mother  is  n't  willing  I  should  leave  home;  and 
Uncle  Joshua  knows  it !  Suppose  I  take  his  advice, 
and  loaf  around  here  all  winter,  which  is  what  it 
would  amount  to,  because  a  fellow  could  n't  find  a 
paying  job  one  day  out  of  thirty.  What  would  be 
the  result  ?  We  should  be  in  debt  next  spring,  and 
I  'd  have  no  better  show  of  earning  a  dollar.  Of 
course,  mother  won't  mortgage  the  farm  after  he 
threatens  her,  as  he  's  certain  to  do;  an'  I  may  as 
well  put  the  scheme  out  of  my  mind  at  once." 

Then    Stephen    wheeled    squarely    around,    and, 


io  Lobster  Catchers. 

without  any  definite  purpose  in  mind,  walked 
toward  a  certain  cove  or  indentation  in  the  rock- 
bound  coast,  situated  within  the  limits  of  his 
mother's  unproductive  farm. 

The  one  thought  in  his  mind  was  that  the  plan 
which  he  had  studied  for  many  a  day,  persuading 
himself  it  could  not  result  in  failure,  must  be  aban- 
doned because  of  the  stand  the  deacon  was  taking. 
He  knew  full  well  that  while  his  Uncle  Joshua  was 
decidedly  averse  to  giving  any  material  aid  to 
"  Ben  Jordan's  family,"  as  he  invariably  spoke  of 
his  sister  and  her  children,  he  was  ever  ready  with 
advice,  and  Stephen's  mother  would  heed  it. 

When  he  had  first  spoken  with  her  in  regard 
to  mortgaging  the  homestead  in  order  to  raise  the 
money  necessary  for  the  purchase  of  the  Sprite,  she 
had  set  her  face  against  it  quite  as  decidedly  as  had 
the  deacon.  But  after  the  subject  had  been  dis- 
cussed in  all  its  bearings,  and  she  realized  as  well 
as  did  her  son  that  it  would  not  be  possible  to 
make  even  so  much  as  an  ordinary  livelihood  by 
working  the  worn-out  farm  until  considerable  money 
had  been  spent  in  fertilizers,  the  question  of  borrow- 
ing the  necessary  capital  to  make  the  venture  in  the 
lobster  business  appeared  less  extravagant,  and  Mrs. 
Jordan  had  agreed  to  it,  with  the  proviso  that 
"  Uncle  Joshua  should  approve  of  the  plan." 

During  fully  a  week  Stephen  had  been  turning 


The  Jordan  Farm.  n 

over  in  mind  what  arguments  he  could  bring  to 
bear  for  the  purpose  of  convincing  his  uncle  that  it 
was  a  sound  business  proposition  to  borrow  money 
on  a  farm  which  was  absolutely  unproductive,  and 
it  was  not  without  many  apprehensions  and  much 
mental  disquietude  that  he  had  introduced  the  sub- 
ject, with  the  result  that  has  already  been  seen. 

Now,  he  knew  beyond  a  peradventure  that  Uncle 
Joshua  would  lose  no  time  in  visiting  the  weather- 
beaten,  decaying  old  farmhouse  that  had  withstood 
the  winds  of  the  winter  and  the  heat  of  the  sum- 
mer for  sixty  years  or  more,  and  there  in  his  most 
emphatic  language,  wherein  could  be  detected 
no  sign  of  brotherly  love,  would  he  advise  his 
sister,  by  means  of  threats,  against  the  "  lobster 
scheme." 

Even  though  mother  knows  that  I  cannot  earn 
a  dollar  between  now  and  spring,  unless  it  is  possible 
to  raise  money  either  to  put  the  farm  into  shape  or 
buy  the  Sprite,  she  will  listen  to  what  Uncle  Joshua 
says  when  he  threatens  to  '  wash  his  hands  of  us 
forever.'  Now,  according  to  my  way  of  thinking, 
it  does  n't  make  any  difference  how  soon  he  does 
that,  for  I  don't  know  as  he  has  ever  given  mother 
so  much  as  a  bushel  of  potatoes,  and,  what  's  more, 
he  never  will  part  with  the  least  little  thing,  unless 
he  gets  all  it  's  worth.  Yet  she  will  cry  at  the 
thought  that  he  is  going  to  stop  looking  after  us, 


12  Lobster  Catchers. 

and  I  shall  lay  around  here  all  winter  without  an 
opportunity  to  earn  so  much  as  will  pay  for  the  hay 
the  horse  eats.  Talk  about  selling  poor  old  Dick! 
Nobody  would  give  more  than  ten  dollars  for  him, 
and  if  we  make  a  garden  next  spring,  it  would  cost 
half  as  much  as  that  to  get  the  land  plowed. 
Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  may  be  a  mighty  good 
hand  at  calculating,  as  folks  say  he  is ;  but  when  it 
comes  to  selling  poor  old  Dick  for  ten  dollars,  and 
between  now  and  next  spring  putting  out  more 
than  that  for  the  hire  of  a  horse,  I  don't  call  it  a 
sensible  business  idea." 

The  sound  of  his  own  voice  appeared  to  soothe 
Stephen's  troubled  mind  a  trifle,  much  as  if  he  had 
had  the  questionable  satisfaction  of  speaking  the 
words  in  his  uncle's  hearing;  for  he  ceased  complain- 
ing, and,  resting  his  chin  on  his  hands,  gazed  idly 
across  the  little  cove  without  apparently  seeing  that 
which  lay  directly  before  him,  hardly  more  than  five 
hundred  yards  away. 

It  was  nothing  particularly  beautiful  in  the  way  of 
a  landscape. 

The  rocky  shore,  littered  here  and  there  with 
fragments  of  spars  or  timbers  that  had  been  flung 
up  by  the  waves ;  and  higher  yet,  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  tide,  decaying  lobster  "  pots,"  looking  not 
unlike  chicken-coops ;  or  piles  of  cordage  so  entwined 
with  seaweed  as  to  render  it  difficult  for  one  not 


The  Jordan  Farm.  13 

accustomed  to  such  things  to  say  which  was  the 
product  of  man's  handiwork. 

Yet  a  little  further  on,  perched  upon  a  mass  of 
rock,  which  had  the  appearance  of  having  been 
placed  there  to  form  a  rude  pier,  was  a  tiny  house 
— perhaps  hut  would  describe  it  more  nearly, — and 
in  the  doorway  stood  a  man,  wearing  a  soiled  red 
jersey,  canvas  trousers  tucked  into  the  top  of  huge 
boots,  with  a  hat  of  the  kind  known  as  a  "  sou- 
'wester." 

It  was  an  odd-looking  man,  and  yet  odder  dwell- 
ing, which  Stephen  gazed  upon  without  appearing 
to  see  it. 

A  stranger  would  immediately  have  been  at- 
tracted by  the  shanty,  as  well  as  its  inmate;  but  to 
Stephen  Jordan  the  house  and  the  man  were  simply 
part  and  parcel  of  the  shore.  He  would,  however, 
have  been  quick  to  note  the  absence  of  what  he  had 
seen  every  day  since  he  could  remember. 

"  Captain  Ike,"  the  people  roundabout  desig- 
nated the  dweller  of  the  "red  shanty,"  and  it  was 
probably  many  a  year  since  he  had  been  called  by 
his  full  name — Isaac  R.  Dyer. 

Stephen  had  heard  it  said  that  Captain  Ike  had 
lived  in  the  red  shanty  thirty  years  or  more,  appar- 
ently growing  old  no  faster  than  did  the  building, 
which  was  yet  in  a  fairly  good  state  of  preservation. 

It  was  not  until  the  lad  had  been  gazing  across 


14  Lobster  Catchers. 

the  cove  ten  minutes  or  more,  without  really  seeing 
what  his  eyes  rested  on,  that  he  became  aware  Cap- 
tain Ike  was  making  signals  to  attract  his  attention. 

He  waved  his  hand  in  reply  to  what  seemed  little 
more  than  a  salutation ;  but  the  old  man  became 
more  emphatic  in  his  gestures,  until  Stephen  under- 
stood that  he  was  receiving  an  invitation  to  visit 
the  shanty. 

The  lad  was  not  eager  for  companionship  just  then, 
because  it  seemed  to  him  as  if  his  troubles  were  of 
such  a  nature  that  they  could  best  be  borne  alone. 
But  Captain  Ike's  invitation  was  not  to  be  refused, 
more  particularly  since  he  seldom  extended  one. 

Stephen  clambered  leisurely  over  the  rocks  until, 
arriving  at  a  broad  stone,  which  the  fisherman  was 
pleased  to  speak  of  as  his  "  piazza,"  he  seated  him- 
self, looking  moodily  over  the  placid  waters. 

"  Kind  'er  out  of  sorts  to-day,  I  reckon, 
Stephen  ?"  the  old  man  suggested. 

"  I  have  been  talking  with  Uncle  Joshua  about 
buying  the  Sprite." 

"  An'  I  allow  he  's  set  his  face  agin'  mortgagin' 
the  farm,  eh  ?  " 

"  That  's  exactly  it,  Captain  Ike.  While  he 
admits  that  I  can't  earn  a  living  on  the  farm,  he 
claims  mother  is  putting  herself  into  the  poorhouse 
by  investing  a  hundred  dollars  in  the  lobster  busi- 
ness.    He  won't  tell  me  how  I  can  make  any  money 


The  Jordan  Farm.  15 

between  now  and  spring;  but  claims  that  we  've  got 
no  right  to  mortgage  the  homestead." 

"  I  had  an  idee  that  was  jest  about  the  way 
Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  would  settle  the  question, 
Stephen,  although  there  was  n't  any  good  reason 
why  I  should  put  a  damper  on  your  mother's  plan 
of  askin'  his  advice.  I  saw  it  was  n't  any  pleasant 
job  that  you  was  tacklin',  an'  so  held  my  tongue. 
He  's  a  mighty  economical  man,  is  the  deacon,  an' 
a  good  deal  closer-fisted  when  it  comes  to  other 
people's  affairs  than  he  is  with  his  own.  How  does 
he  allow  you  're  goin'  to  pay  for  what  your  mother 
an'  the  children  will  need  to  eat  'twixt  now  and 
plantin'  time  next  year  ?  " 

He  don't  go  into  that  part  of  the  business  at  all. 
He  simply  says  we  sha'n't  mortgage  the  farm  if  he 
can  prevent  it;  and  I  suppose  he  is  threatening 
mother  with  all  sorts  of  evils  by  this  time." 

"  An'  she  '11  be  pretty  likely  to  do  as  he  tells  her, 
eh  ?" 

"  There  is  n't  any  question  that  she  will  not  help 
me  raise  the  money  after  he  gets  through  giving  her 
a  scolding ;  and  what  am  I  to  do,  Captain  Ike  ?  I 
can't  even  properly  set  about  catching  lobsters 
without  a  new  dory,  for  our  old  one  is  n't  fit  to  put 
out  in  heavy  weather,  and  the  way  things  are  now, 
a  fellow  could  n't  earn  any  very  big  wages  at  that 
kind  of  work.     It  seems  as  if  my  hands  were  tied, 


1 6  Lobster  Catchers. 

and  that  we  must  stay  on  the  farm,  running  in  debt 
every  year,  until  it  's  taken  away  from  us.  It 
might  as  well  go  one  way  as  another,  and  if  the 
whole  scheme  of  buying  lobsters  fails,  I  would  n't 
have  lost  more  than  we  shall  lose  between  now  and 
next  spring ;  that  is,  providing  I  could  make  enough 
out  of  it  to  keep  the  family  going  while  I  was  run- 
ning the  boat." 

It  's  hard  lines,  Stephen:  it  's  hard  lines.  If 
Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  was  n't  your  mother's 
brother,  I  would  say  some  pretty  tough  things 
against  him,  'cause  he  ain't  what  I  call  a  straight 
up  an'  down  good  man,  no  matter  how  many  pro- 
fessions he  makes.  It  's  certain  your  folks  must 
have  a  livin',  an'  it  's  just  as  true  that  you  won't 
get  it  out  of  the  farm.  I  don't  know  what  you 
could  do  to  earn  money,  unless  it  was  to  leave 
home ;  an'  I  ain't  allowin'  a  boy  a  little  over  sixteen 
years  old  is  goin'  to  pull  any  very  big  wages  at  first, 
if  he  should  go  to  the  city." 

"  I  can't  leave  home,  Captain  Ike;  or,  at  least, 
I  'm  certain  mother  would  think  I  ought  n't  to  go; 
for  how  would  she  get  along  without  me  ?  " 

"That  's  it,  lad;  that  's  jest  the  size  of  it. 
You  're  tied  right  up,  an'  Deacon  Brackett  is  holdin' 
the  knot  a  little  tighter  than  is  needed  without  any 
good  reason  for  doing  so.  You  allowed  that  it 
would  take  one  hundred  an'  twenty  dollars  to  make 


The  Jordan  Farm.  17 

the  first  payment  on  the  Sprite,  an'  start  in  buy  in' 
a  cargo,  did  n't  you  ?  " 

It  seems  as  if  that  was  the  least  I  could  begin 
with,   Captain  Ike.     You   know,    I    must  pay   one 

hundred  dollars  down  on  the  steamer " 

See  here,  Stephen  Jordan,  supposed  you  owned 
the  Sprite  this  very  minute,  an'  she  was  layin'  off 
here;  are  you  allowin'  it  would  be  possible  to  run 
her,  seein'  's  how  you  ain't  overly  well  acquainted 
with  such  things  as  steam  engines  ?  " 

"  I  've  run  her  often  enough,  and  if  Captain 
Skillings  had  n't  built  a  new  boat,  I  might  have  got 
a  chance  to  go  with  him  this  fall  as  engineer.  Of 
course,  I  would  n't  dare  to  attempt  such  work  on  a 
big  steamer." 

"  Then  you  are  certain  there  would  n't  be  any 
trouble  about  doin'  the  job  ?  " 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it." 

"  But,  what  about  gettin'  a  license  ?  Don't  the 
Government  step  in  an'  say  you  've  got  to  have 
written  permission  to  do  sich  things  ?  " 

I  can  pass  enough  of  an  examination  to  get  a 
license  to  run  the  Sprite,  and — why,  there  's  five 
dollars  more  I  did  n't  figure  on!  " 

"  Five  dollars  for  what  ?  " 

"  To  pay  for  the  license,  of  course." 

So  you  have  to  give  up  good  money  for  the 
sake  of  runnin'  your  own  craft;  is  that  it  ?  " 


1 8  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  That  's  the  law.  And  then  there  must  be 
some  one  on  board  who  can  get  a  certificate  as  mas- 
ter in  order  to  fill  all  the  requirements  laid  down  for 
the  management  of  steam  craft." 

"  An'  s'posen  your  Uncle  Joshua  had  n't  kicked 
against  the  mortgage  ?  What  would  you  have  done 
for  a  captain  ?  " 

"  I  thought  it  was  the  same  as  agreed  that  you 
would  go." 

"  So  it  was,  lad,  so  it  was.  That  is,  pervidin'  you 
still  hold  to  the  same  mind  as  when  we  talked  last." 

"  It  does  n't  make  any  difference  what  I  hold  to 
now,  since  I  sha'n't  have  the  boat,  and  must  loaf 
around  the  farm  all  winter,  except  when  I  dare  to 
run  out  in  the  old  boat  once  in  a  while  for  a  day's 
fishing." 

"  Well,  see  here,  Stephen  Jordan, — I  've  been 
turnin'  this  thing  over  in  my  mind,  with  the  idee 
that  your  uncle  was  goin'  to  give  the  plan  a  black 
eye,  an'  I  've  come  to  the  conclusion  that  you 
might  make  a  trade  for  the  Sprite  about  as  easy  as 
you  could  persuade  any  one  into  takin'  a  mortgage 
on  the  Ben  Jordan  farm." 

"  I  've  got  to  have  a  hundred  and  twenty  dollars 
— one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  if  you  count  in  the 
license." 

Did  you  ever  try  makin'  a  trade  with  Captain 
Skillin's  to  run  the  Sprite  on  shares  ?  " 


The  Jordan  Farm.  19 

"  Do  you  suppose  he  would  agree  to  anything  of 
that  kind  ?  "  Stephen  cried  excitedly  as  he  leaped 
to  his  feet,  for  suddenly  his  hopes  were  revived. 

I  don't  know  why  it  would  n't  be  a  good  trade 
for  him.  It  seems  to  me  I  should  rather  let  her  out 
on  shares  than  to  sell  her  for  five  hundred  dollars. 
Now,  what  do  you  say  to  makin'  him  an  offer  ? 
This  'ere  is  your  scheme,  an'  you  're  entitled  to  the 
whole  of  it.  But  I  'm  thinkin',  seem'  's  how  money 
is  so  tight  with  you,  that  you  might  give  me  about 
one  third  lay,  an  we  'd  start  this  thing  without  very 
much  capital." 

"  If  you  were  willing  to  go  on  a  lay,  it  ought  to 
be  equal  shares." 

"  No,  no,  lad;  the  scheme  is  yours,  an'  I  ain't 
entitled  to  half  of  it.  I  '11  take  a  third,  an'  call  it  a 
bargain.  S'posen  we  toddle  right  over,  an'  talk  to 
Skillin's  now  ?  There  's  nothin'  like  strikin'  while 
the  iron's  hot,  an'  I  'm  of  the  opinion  that  before 
the  sun  sets  you  '11  have  the  Sprite  anchored  out 
here,  whether  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  agrees  to  the 
scheme  or  not." 


CHAPTER  II. 

ON  SHARES. 

STEPHEN  JORDAN  did  not  argue  with  Captain 
Ike  regarding  the  proposed  partnership,  as  he 
would  have  done  had  he  been  allowed  to  revolve  the 
matter  in  his  mind. 

The  old  man's  proposition  had  come  in  the  nature 
of  a  surprise,  after  he  had  been  convinced  that  it 
would  be  impossible  for  him  to  embark  in  the  enter- 
prise; and  the  lad  was  almost  bewildered  by  the 
possibilities  as  the  fisherman  led  him  across  the  Ben 
Jordan  farm  to  the  bluff  on  which  was  situated  the 
home  of  Captain  Skillings,  wholesale  dealer  in  fish 
of  all  kinds,  and  general  speculator. 

"  I  would  n't  dare  offer  to  take  the  Sprite  on 
shares,"  Stephen  said  in  a  low  tone,  when  Captain 
Ike  unlatched  the  pretentious-looking  gate  which 
gave  entrance  to  the  rich  man's  estate;  and  it  was 
the  first  time  he  had  spoken  since  leaving  the  red 
shanty. 

"  I  don't  know  why  you  should  n't,  lad,  for 
there  's  nothin'  to  be  ashamed  of  in  it." 

"  It  seems  as  if  I  had  no  right  to  propose  that  he 
20 


On  Shares.  21 

go  into  the  scheme  with  me ;  and  that  is  what  it 
will  amount  to." 

"  If  it  ain't  good  enough  for  him,  we  don't  want 
any  part  of  the  business.  An'  what  he  does  will  be 
the  proof  of  the  puddin',  so  to  speak." 

"  Are  you  willing  to  make  the  proposition  ?  " 

"  Ay,  that  I  am,  lad;  an'  blow  your  horn  in  the 
meanwhile,  which  is  what  you  've  always  failed  in 
om  . 

There  was  no  further  opportunity  for  private  con- 
versation, for  at  that  moment  the  visitors  were 
hailed  by  the  owner  of  the  estate,  a  fleshy,  red-faced 
man,  who  roared  as  if  believing  they  could  only  hear 
the  words  when  uttered  at  the  full  strength  of  his 
powerful  lungs : 

"  Hello,  there!  Have  you  two  left  the  fishin' 
business  to  go  roamin'  around  the  country  like  a 
couple  of  tramps  ?  " 

"  We  're  out  on  work  of  our  own,  an'  it  '11  pay 
you  to  hear  what  we  've  got  to  say,"  Captain  Ike 
replied,  trying  in  vain  to  speak  in  as  loud  a  tone  as 
had  the  fish-dealer. 

"  Oh,  you  are,  eh  ?  Well,  come  up  this  way,  an' 
let  's  have  it  out.  How  are  the  mackerel  strikin' 
in  ?" 

"  They  've  struck  out  these  three  weeks,  an'  it  's 
time  your  pounds  were  taken  in,"  Captain  Ike  re- 
plied, as  he  seated  himself  on  the  bench  by  the  side 


22  Lobster  Catchers. 

of  the  loud-spoken  gentleman,  quite  as  if  consider- 
ing himself  an  equal.  But  Stephen  remained  a  few 
paces  distant,  standing  first  on  one  foot  and  then 
the  other,  as  if  feeling  decidedly  ill  at  ease. 

"  I  reckon  you  're  right,  Captain  Ike.  Why  can't 
you  an'  Stephen  Jordan  do  the  work  for  me  ?  I 
want  to  send  the  crew  off  for  a  short  trip." 

"  We  're  ready  to  make  any  trade  that  may  be 
called  a  fair  one.  But,  first,  I  reckon  you  'd  better 
hear  what  we  've  come  to  say." 

"  Go  ahead.  But  make  the  story  short,  for  I 
can't  spend  any  too  much  time  just  now,  when  the 
market  is  going  against  me.  The  fishin'  business 
ain't  what  it  used  to  be,  Isaac  Dyer." 

"  Right  you  are,  Captain  Skillin's,  an'  it  stands 
a  man  in  hand  to  be  mighty  snug  in  his  dealin's, 
else  he  's  like  to  come  to  grief.  Here  's  what  we  've 
got  on  our  minds,  an'  you  can  wind  the  thing  up  in 
short  order  by  sayin'  '  yes '  or  '  no  '  when  we  're  at 
the  end  of  our  yarn." 

Then  Captain  Ike  explained  how  Stephen  had 
proposed  to  raise  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to  make 
the  first  payment  on  the  Sprite,  and  why  he  was  like 
to  fail  in  the  undertaking. 

"  The  Widow  Jordan  will  listen  to  that  close-fisted 
deacon,  an'  what  seems  like  a  promisin'  plan  falls  to 
the  ground  unless  you  can  help  him  out  a  bit,"  the 
old  fisherman  added.     "  I  'm  proposin'  that  you  let 


On  Shares.  23 

him  an'  me  have  the  steamer  one  season  on  shares. 
We  '11  give  what  shall  be  a  fair  proportion  of  the 
profits  for  the  use  of  her,  and  you  '11  be  called  on  to 
put  up  only  so  much  money  as  '11  be  needed  to  buy 
the  first  few  cargoes." 

"  That  looks  like  a  one-sided  bargain,"  Captain 
Skillings  roared,  and  Stephen  stepped  back  a  pace, 
as  if  fearing  some  punishment  might  follow  such  a 
show  of  temerity. 

"  It  ain't  when  you  look  at  it  in  the  right  light," 
the  old  fisherman  replied  stoutly ;  and  at  once  he 
went  into  the  details  of  the  proposed  trade,  urging 
that  the  little  steamer  must  necessarily  remain  idle 
during  the  winter  season,  because  it  was  not  prob- 
able a  purchaser  for  her  could  be  found  before  the 
following  summer. 

"  You  've  got  to  spend  some  money  to  put  her 
in  shape,  if  you  count  on  sellin',  an'  we  '11  take  her 
jest  as  she  is,  doin'  all  that  may  be  needed  in  way 
of  repairs.  Stephen  tells  me  he  can  'tend  to  the 
engineerin',  an'  it  's  hard  lines  if  I  don't  know 
enough  to  act  the  part  of  skipper.  I  reckon  on 
takin'  one  third  of  what  we  shall  make,  givin'  him 
the  biggest  part,  because  he  '11  have  to  do  the 
figgerin'  an'  that  sort  of  thing.  I  never  looked 
after  my  schoolin',  as  every  lad  ought  'er  do,  an' 
the  consequence  is  that  when  it  comes  to  reckonin' 
more  'n  can  be  counted  on  my  fingers  I  'm  all  at 


24  Lobster  Catchers. 

sea.  Stephen  is  good  at  book  learnin',  an'  he  '11  be 
the  head  of  the  firm,  so  you  can  understand  that 
matters  will  be  carried  on  shipshape." 

How  much  are  you  thinkin'  of  allowin'  me  for 
the  Sprite?  " 

"  I  'd  say  one  half  was  a  good  lay." 
Oh,  you  would,  eh  ?  "  Captain  Skillings  asked 
sarcastically,   whereat    Stephen    moved  yet  farther 
away,  wishing  he  had  never  consented  to  come  with 
such  a  proposition. 

"  You  could  n't  have  a  better  one,  Captain.  It  's 
like  this:  We  're  bound  to  sell  our  cargoes  to  you, 
an'  you  're  gettin'  the  benefit  of  the  work  twice 
over." 

"  How  much  capital  will  be  needed  ?  " 

"  Stephen  thought  twenty  dollars  would  help  him 
through.  But  I  'm  thinkin'  that  fifty  is  about  the 
figger." 

"  At  the  market  rate,  it  would  take  more  'n  that 
to  fill  the  Sprite's  hold.  I  allow  you  know  that  I 
don't  countenance  dealin'  in  short  lobsters  ?  " 

"  I  would  n't  break  the  law,  Captain  Skillings," 
Stephen  said  emphatically,  seeming  to  gain  con- 
fidence with  the  knowledge  that  the  rich  man  was 
willing  to  discuss  the  proposition.  "  Of  course, 
there  are  plenty  of  fishermen  who  will  take  lobsters 
less  than  ten  and  a  half  inches  in  length,  and  it 
comes  hard  to  throw  the  short  ones  back,  especially 


On  Shares.  25 

when  the  catch  is  a  poor  one.  But  we  would  n't 
buy  any  that  did  n't  run  the  full  measurement." 

"  When  was  you  countin'  on  beginnin'  this  busi- 
ness ?  "  and  now  Captain  Skillings  addressed  himself 
to  the  lad. 

"  As  soon  as  possible,  sir.  If  Uncle  Joshua  had 
been  willing  for  mother  to  raise  the  money  by  a 
mortgage,  I  would  have  bought  the  Sprite  right 
away  after  the  cash  was  in  my  hands." 

"  Well,  look  you,  Stephen  Jordan,  if  you  're 
agreed  to  take  Captain  Ike  in  as  a  partner,  I  '11  let 
you  the  Sprite  on  half-shares,  from  now  till  April, 
an'  put  one  hundred  dollars  into  the  concern,  you 
promisin'  that  what  lobsters  you  pick  up  are  sold  to 
me  at  the  regular  market  price." 

Stephen  literally  gasped  for  breath.  He  had  con- 
sented to  accompany  Captain  Ike  without  believing 
it  would  be  possible  for  them  to  make,  with  the 
slightest  chance  of  success,  any  business  proposition 
on  the  lines  laid  down  by  the  old  fisherman ;  and 
had  been  so  positive  Captain  Skillings  would  not 
agree  to  let  the  steamer  on  shares,  that  if  there  had 
been  any  other  way  which  promised  the  least  hope, 
he  would  have  refused  to  visit  the  fish-dealer  on 
what  seemed  to  him  much  like  a  begging  proposi- 
tion. 

He  knew  full  well,  however,  that  Captain  Skill- 
ings was  not  one  given  to  generous  deeds,  and  when 


26  Lobster  Catchers. 

he  proposed  a  business  venture,  it  was  always  with 
the  belief  that  he  would  receive  the  greatest  benefit. 

Now,  however,  and  with  no  more  urging  or  dis- 
cussion than  might  have  been  necessary  in  order  to 
procure  the  loan  of  a  dory,  he  was  given  control  of 
the  Sprite  during  the  fall  and  winter  months,  and, 
with  her,  more  than  four  times  as  much  money  as 
he  had  thought  would  be  necessary  to  carry  out  the 
scheme. 

The  surprise  was  so  great  as  to  cause  a  certain 
sense  of  faintness,  and  he  remained  mute  as  any 
statue  until  Captain  Ike  said  querulously, 

"  Well,  lad,  it  don't  seem  to  strike  you  very 
pleasin',  now  that  the  deed  's  done." 

"  Indeed  it  does,"  Stephen  replied,  as  if  with  an 
effort.  "  You  see,  Captain  Skillings,"  he  added, 
turning  to  the  owner  of  the  steamer,  "  I  did  n't  be- 
lieve you  'd  let  us  the  Sprite  on  shares,  and  thought 
I  'd  got  to  give  up  trying  to  make  money  in  the 
lobster  business.  If  there  had  been  any  other  way 
for  me  to  earn  something  while  staying  at  home,  to 
take  care  of  mother  and  the  children,  I  would  have 
gone  into  it  a  long  while  ago ;  but  a  fellow  can't  get 
a  job  round  the  shore  here  except  when  there  are 
summer  visitors,  and  then  is  the  time  that  I  must 
look  after  the  farm." 

"  Well,  Stephen  Jordan,  the  way  the  scheme 
looks  to  me,  it  's  a  fairly  good  bargain   on  both 


On  Shares.  27 

sides,"  the  dealer  replied  with  his  customary  volume 
of  sound.  "  As  Isaac  says,  the  Sprite  would  lay 
idle  all  winter  if  I  did  n't  make  a  deal  of  this  sort; 
an'  I  'm  thinkin'  my  share  of  what  should  be  made 
by  pickin'  up  lobsters  along  the  coast  will  give  me  a 
fair  return  on  the  amount  of  money  I  've  invested 
in  her.  Get  to  work  as  soon  as  you  can,  for  while 
the  fish  market  is  pretty  dull,  an'  prices  are  fallin' 
every  day,  lobsters  are  worth  eighteen  dollars  a 
hundred;  that  is  to  say,  I  'm  payin'  that  much  for 
'em,  an'  you  've  got  no  right  to  give  more  than 
fifteen.  With  three  cents  apiece  as  profit,  you 
ought  to  make  fair  wages  for  all  hands." 

"  When  shall  we  take  charge  of  the  steamer  ?  " 

"  There  's  no  reason  why  any  time  should  be  lost, 
an'  I  allow  it  '11  take  you  an'  Captain  Isaac  two  or 
three  days  to  put  her  in  trim,  for  she  's  been  layin' 
by  quite  a  spell.  When  you  're  ready  to  begin 
business,  come  to  me  for  the  cash." 

Having  said  this,  the  dealer  arose,  as  if  to  signify 
that  the  interview  was  at  an  end,  and,  after  making 
his  best  bow,  Stephen  walked  out  of  the  grounds  at 
the  heels  of  the  old  fisherman,  almost  wondering 
if  he  were  really  awake — if  all  this  was  not  some 
pleasant  dream. 

Captain  Ike  brought  him  to  a  decided  sense  of  the 
reality  by  saying,  when  they  were  out  on  the  high- 
way once  more : 


28  Lobster  Catchers. 

"Now,  lad,  you  've  got  your  work  cut  out  for 
you,  an'  there  's  plenty  of  it.  You  '11  have  no  time 
to  go  moonin'  round  the  shore,  or  stoppin'  in  at 
the  corner  store  listenin'  to  gossip.  We  '11  need  to 
get  at  the  job  of  buyin'  as  soon  as  possible,  so  's  to 
let  the  fishermen  know  what  we  're  up  to  before 
heavy  weather  sets  in.  I  reckon  you  'd  better  run 
over  to  the  farm,  an'  tell  your  mother  that  you  '11 
stop  at  the  red  shanty  with  me  for  a  spell.  In  case 
anything  goes  wrong  at  home,  it  won't  be  much 
trouble  for  her  to  send  one  of  the  children  after 
you. 

Stephen  acted  upon  this  suggestion  without  delay, 
and  before  arriving  at  home  the  fact  that  he  was 
really  in  possession  of  the  Sprite — that  he  could 
carry  out  his  business  venture  without  fear  of 
impoverishing  his  mother — had  become  firmly  im- 
pressed upon  his  mind. 

There  was  quite  as  much  responsibility  resting 
upon  him  as  if  the  farm  had  been  mortgaged  to  give 
him  the  desired  capital ;  and  yet,  if  by  chance  the 
scheme  was  a  failure,  he  would  not  be  plunging  his 
mother  and  the  children  into  still  greater  difficulties. 
It  cannot  fail,"  he  said  to  himself  again  and 
again,  while  walking  at  his  best  pace.  "  Captain 
Skillings  never  would  have  let  us  the  Sprite  on 
shares,  and  furnished  a  hundred  dollars,  if  he 
thought   there   was  much   danger  of   loss.      It   's 


On  Shares.  29 

bound  to  be  a  success,  and  mother  and  the  children 
will  be  able  to  buy  the  things  they  have  been  need- 
ing. We  '11  get  Mr.  Carter  to  haul  the  cabbage  in, 
and  the  family  shall  have  every  dollar  we  get  that 
way,  because  I  '11  pay  Dyer  &  Jose  for  the  phosphate 
out  of  what  I  earn  the  first  month." 

He  was  flushed  and  reddened  with  joy  when  he 
opened  the  door  of  the  farmhouse  kitchen.  But 
immediately  he  had  done  so,  the  expression  of 
pleasurable  excitement  faded  from  his  face. 

His  mother,  holding  little  Dick  in  her  arms,  was 
in  tears;  and,  seated  by  the  side  of  the  stove,  in  the 
armchair  which  had  always  been  reserved  for 
Stephen's  father,  the  lad  saw  Deacon  Joshua  Brack- 
ett,  wearing  a  most  severe  and  judicial  look. 

There  was  no  immediate  opportunity  for  Stephen 
to  explain  what  good  fortune  had  come  to  him,  be- 
cause his  uncle  exclaimed,  almost  as  soon  as  the 
door  had  been  opened, — 

"  Here  comes  the  boy  who  is  willing  to  mortgage 
the  homestead  in  order  that  money  can  be  frittered 
away  exactly  as  his  father's  hard  earnings  were! 
Instead  of  turning  his  hand  to  whatsoever  lies 
nearest,  he  must  scheme  to  squander  the  little  left 
his  mother!  " 

"  I  no  longer  want  to  mortgage  the  farm,  Uncle 

Joshua,  because " 

Oh,  you  don't,  eh  ?     Well,  it  would  have  been 


30  Lobster  Catchers. 

done  if  I  had  n't  put  my  foot  firmly  down  against 
it.  One  word  from  me,  an'  you  'd  have  been  goin' 
around  the  village,  askin'  who  'd  give  your  mother 
a  push  towards  the  poorhouse.  It  's  lucky  for  all 
hands  that  you  've  got  a  relative  who  is  willin'  to 
spend  his  time  keepin'  you  from  wasteful  extravag- 
ance." 

"  Stephen  is  neither  wasteful  nor  extravagant, 
Joshua,"  Mrs.  Jordan  interrupted.  "  He  is  a  good 
son,  and  one  who  thinks  more  of  helping  his  mother 
than  he  does  of  his  own  pleasure." 

"  If  you  call  it  helpin'  his  mother  to  try  at  mort- 
gagin'  the  farm  for  the  sake  of  spendin'  his  time 
hangin'  round  Skillin's's  steamer,  then  I  '11  admit 
he  's  all  you  claim  him  to  be.  But  when  I  was  a 
boy,  we  did  n't  venture  to  so  much  as  dream  of 
partin'  with  the  homestead  in  order  that  we  might 
have  money  to  squander.  If  he  's  given  up  his  wild 
ideas  of  goin'  into  the  lobster  business,  which  is  an  en- 
terprise that  '11  take  more  money  than  I  would  dare 
to  risk,  why,  so  much  the  better  for  all  concerned." 

"  But  I  have  n't  given  it  up,  Uncle  Joshua," 
Stephen  said  firmly,  and,  perhaps,  with  some  slight 
show  of  anger,  because  of  his  mother's  tears.  "  I 
have  n't  given  it  up  ;  but  am  going  to  start  in  it 
this  very  day." 

"  And  you  think  I  '11  consent  to  your  mortgagin' 
the  farm  ?" 


On  Shares.  31 

"  There  's  no  question  of  my  doing  anything  of 
the  kind.  But  I  'm  going  into  the  lobster  business, 
and  with  plenty  of  money  to  buy  the  first  cargo." 

"  Been  out  borrowing  eh,  on  the  strength  of  what 
may  come  to  you  when  you  're  of  age  ?  Sellin' 
your  birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage  ?  Well,  I 
wash  my  hands  of  the  whole  family  from  this  out!  " 

"  That  's  what  you  've  been  doing,  Uncle  Joshua, 
ever  since  I  can  remember,  and  I  don't  know  but 
that  we  shall  be  as  well  off  after  you  've  washed 
your  hands  as  before,  so  far  as  your  helping  mother 
is  concerned." 

"Stephen!  Stephen!  Remember  that  you  must 
not  be  saucy!  " 

"  I  am  not,  mother.  I  've  never  know  Uncle 
Joshua  to  do  other  than  talk  harshly  to  you.  Even 
when  father  died,  and  before  the  funeral,  he  stood 
in  this  very  room  and  scolded  because  the  farm  had 
run  down." 

It  's  well  I  've  a  watchful  eye  over  this  family; 
and  such  ingratitude  as  you  are  showin',  Stephen 
Jordan,  is  no  more  than  a  man  might  expect.  As 
I  said  before,  I  wash  my  hands  of  the  whole  affair, 
and  whoever  has  been  foolish  enough  to  lend  you 
money  to  go  into  such  a  scheme  as  buyin'  lobsters 
will  rue  his  folly." 

Have  you  been  borrowing  money,  Stephen  ?  " 
Mrs.  Jordan  asked  apprehensively. 


32  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,  mother.  Captain  Skillings  is 
going  to  give  us  the  use  of  the  Sprite,  and  furnish  a 
hundred  dollars  to  begin  with.  He  's  to  take  half 
the  profits,  and  you  can  see  that  it  's  a  good  busi- 
ness, else  a  man  like  him  would  n't  give  up  the  use 
of  a  boat  that  he  values  at  five  hundred  dollars,  be- 
sides providing  money  for  the  first  cargo." 

Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  Samuel  Skillin's 
is  ready  to  throw  his  dollars  away  in  that  fashion, 
trustin'  an  addle-pated  boy  like  you  with  a  hundred 
dollars?" 

"  I  don't  think  he  is  willing  to  throw  his  money 
away.  But  it  is  certain  that  he  believes  a  good 
profit  can  be  made,  for  when  Captain  Ike  made  the 
offer,  he  took  it  up  without  any  haggling." 

"  I  shall  believe  it  when  Samuel  Skillin's  has 
told  me  himself,"  the  Deacon  said  severely,  and 
Mrs.  Jordan  slightly  pressed  her  son's  hand  in  token 
of  her  joy  that  he  had  succeeded  in  making  such 
arrangements  as  would  permit  of  his  carrying  out 
the  plan  which  he  was  so  confident  would  be  a 
success. 

"  I  shall  see  Captain  Skillin's  within  the  hour, 
and  find  out  whether  he  proposes  to  make  any  trade 
with  a  minor  of  my  family  before  my  consent  has 
been  asked,"  Deacon  Brackett  said  harshly,  as  he 
rose  to  his  feet  with  a  gesture  of  the  hand  that  was 
very  nearly  threatening.     "  I  don't  count  on  seein' 


On  Shares.  33 

you  drag  your  mother  into  the  poorhouse  yet 
awhile ;  and,  mark  my  word,  Stephen  Jordan,  such  a 
bargain  as  you  claim  to  have  made  cannot  stand 
without  my  consent." 

Then  the  Deacon  walked  out,  shutting  the  door 
behind  him  with  a  force  that  caused  the  very  dishes 
on  the  table  to  quiver,  and  Stephen  asked  in  alarm : 

"  Do  you  believe  he  can  prevent  Captain  Skillings 
from  doing  as  he  has  agreed,  mother  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  he  will  try,  Stephen.  It  is  not 
reasonable  to  suppose  the  Captain  would  first  prom- 
ise, and  then  refuse;  for  surely  your  uncle's  consent 
is  unnecessary.  But  how  is  it  you  have  succeeded 
in  making  such  a  bargain  ?  " 

Stephen  gave  his  mother  a  detailed  account  of  all 
that  had  occurred,  from  the  time  he  first  made  the 
proposition  to  the  Deacon  that  a  mortgage  be  put  on 
the  farm  ;  and  the  good  woman's  tears  were  quickly 
dried. 

She  believed,  as  did  her  son,  that  the  fish-dealer 
would  not  have  agreed  to  go  into  the  venture  unless 
he  was  reasonably  certain  that  it  would  be  profit- 
able, and  it  seemed  to  both  as  if  the  dark  clouds  of 
poverty  which  had  hung  over  them  so  long  were  in 
a  fair  way  to  be  lifted. 

There  was  in  Stephen's  mind,  however,  the  haunt- 
ing fear  lest  his  uncle  should  succeed  in  persuading 

Captain  Skillings  that  the  agreement  could  not  be 
3 


34  Lobster  Catchers. 

carried  out  without  his  consent,  and  the  lad  was 
feverishly  eager  to  discuss  the  matter  with  Captain 
Ike. 

"  You  need  have  no  fear  but  that  we  will  get 
along  all  right  at  home  while  you  are  gone,  and, 
therefore,  it  is  well  you  should  spend  every  moment 
of  the  time  in  getting  the  little  steamer  ready," 
Mrs.  Jordan  said,  when  her  son  explained  why  it 
might  be  necessary  for  him  to  remain  at  the  red 
shanty.  "  What  little  work  there  is,  can  easily  be 
done  by  the  children  and  myself ;  and  I  will  make  a 
bargain  with  Mr.  Carter  for  marketing  the  cabbage. 
You  have  been  a  good  son,  Stephen,  and  I  have 
faith  to  believe  you  will  be  successful  in  your  under- 
takings." 

Except  for  the  regular  chores,  there  was  nothing 
about  the  farm  to  occupy  Stephen's  attention.  The 
winter's  supply  of  wood  had  been  sawn  and  split, 
the  scanty  store  of  vegetables  was  housed,  and  it 
would  not  be  necessary  for  those  at  the  farm  to  do 
more  than  care  for  the  horse,  the  pig,  and  the 
chickens.  There  was  no  need  to  delay  after  his 
mother  had  kissed  him  good-by. 

He  spent  very  few  moments  in  traversing  the  dis- 
tance which  lay  between  the  farmhouse  and  the 
red  shanty  and,  once  arrived  there,  he  repeated  to 
his  partner  the  threats  made  by  the  Deacon. 

"So!     He  's  goin'  to  put  an  end  to  your  makin' 


On  Shares.  35 

any  trade,  eh  ?  Counts  on  your  starvin',  for  the 
sake  of  showin'  that  the  Ben  Jordan  farm  ain't 
worth  anything  ?  'Twixt  you  an'  me,  Joshua 
Brackett  would  be  mighty  well  pleased  if  he  could 
get  hold  of  that  same  land  for  a  song,  an'  you  can 
be  certain  he  would  n't  give  more  than  a  song  for 
it.  I  allow  he  's  waitin'  till  you  an'  your  mother 
are  in  such  hard  straits  that  you  '11  have  to  sell  the 
homestead." 

"  I  don't  believe  he  's  quite  so  bad  as  that,  Cap- 
tain Ike,  else  he  'd  been  willing  to  put  a  mortgage 
on  it." 

"  That  's  too  slow  a  way  to  suit  a  close-fisted  old 
curmudgeon  like  him.  He  's  been  allowin'  that  by 
spring  he  'd  get  the  place  for  about  a  quarter  of 
what  it  's  worth ;  an'  is  afraid  this  'ere  lobster  busi- 
ness will  knock  that  cheerful  little  scheme  of  his  on 
the  head." 

"  Do  you  believe  he  can  persuade  Captain  Skill- 
ings  into  going  back  on  his  bargain  ?  " 

"  Now  you  're  askin'  a  foolish  question,  Stephen, 
an'  that  's  what  I  don't  like  to  hear  a  partner  of 
mine  do.  I  've  known  Sam  Skillin's,  man  an'  boy, 
nigh  on  to  fifty  years,  an'  I  '11  tell  you  why  he  's  the 
rich  man  of  this  'ere  town :  It  's  because  he  never 
yet  went  back  on  his  word ;  that  's  what  will  make 
any  one  a  success  in  this  world.  When  it  comes  to 
be  known  'round  about  where  he  has  dealin's  that 


36  Lobster  Catchers. 

his  word  counts  for  all  he  gives  it,  then  he's  bound 
to  get  ahead.  Ask  anybody  why  Captain  Skillin's 
has  made  money  in  the  fish  business,  while  other 
people  have  gone  into  bankruptcy,  and  you  '11  be 
told  it  's  because  he  always  kept  his  word  with  who- 
ever he  dealt,  an'  the  consequence  is  that  he  can 
buy  fish  an'  lobsters  at  his  own  prices,  or  no  price 
at  all,  whenever  they  are  runnin'  short.  Now  he 
has  agreed  that  we  shall  have  the  Sprite  on  half- 
shares,  and  there  's  nothin'  more  left  for  us  to  do 
but  go  over  an'  get  her.  I  don't  allow  it  '11  pay  to 
raise  steam,  so  s'pose  you  jump  into  the  old  dory, 
an'  we  '11  tow  her  around.  It  won't  be  any  big  job ; 
but  before  it  's  done,  we  '11  go  inside  an'  have  a 
snack  to  eat." 

Stephen's  fears  regarding  what  his  uncle  might 
find  it  possible  to  do  were  set  at  rest,  and  it  is  safe 
to  say  that  the  red  shanty  never  had  a  more  happy 
occupant  than  was  the  new  engineer  of  the  good 
steamer  Sprite. 


CHAPTER  III. 

LOBSTERS. 

CAPTAIN  IKE'S  home,  while  not  unlike  many 
huts  along  shore,  deserves  particular  mention, 
if  for  no  other  reason  than  because  of  his  success  in 
economy  of  space. 

The  red  shanty  was  a  building  fourteen  feet 
square,   at    one  end   of   which  was  a  small    shed : 

cold-storage  room  "  its  owner  called  it;  and  here 
the  fisherman  stowed  such  portion  of  his  catch  as 
was  to  be  taken  to  market  immediately,  or  had 
been  ordered  by  some  customer  who  would  drive 
out  from  the  neighboring  city. 

The  "  cold-storage  room  "  was  by  no  means 
peculiar  ;  but  Captain  Ike's  home  is  certainly 
worthy  of  more  than  passing  mention. 

His  bedroom,  sitting-room,  drawing-room,  library, 
and  dining-room  were  all  in  one.  A  stove,  which 
was  decidedly  the  most  useful  article  of  furniture, 
stood  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  where  it  would  be 
sheltered  from  over-rude  blasts  when  the  door  was 
opened ;  and  opposite  were  two  shelf-like  beds — 
bunks,  Captain  Ike  called  them — built  against  the 
wall. 

37 


38  Lobster  Catchers. 

Opposite  the  stove  was  a  table,  formed  by  hinge- 
ing  a  broad  shelf  against  the  side  of  the  room, 
and  which  could  be  folded  up,  when  not  in  use, 
thereby  increasing,  so  to  speak,  the  size  of  the 
apartment. 

Two  wooden  chairs  and  three  stools  covered  with 
canvas  made  up  the  list  of  furniture,  and  had  these 
been  the  only  furnishings  of  the  room,  perhaps  it 
would  not  have  warranted  a  detailed  description. 
But  it  was  at  the  end  of  the  house  directly  behind 
the  stove  that  Captain  Ike  had  given  free  rein  to  his 
artistic  taste. 

Here  were  gaudy  pictures  advertising  the  last  fair 
in  the  vicinity ;  cuts  of  impossible  chickens,  intended 
to  attest  to  the  efficacy  of  some  particular  food  for 
poultry;  pictures  illustrative  of  this  thing  or  that, 
and  pinned  against  the  wall,  until  this  end  of  the 
room  was  gorgeous  with  color. 

All  was  fish  which  came  to  Captain  Ike's  nets,  in 
the  words  of  the  old  adage,  and  he  had  hung  these 
ornaments  with  so  little  regard  to  the  natural  fitness 
of  things  that  the  picture  of  a  woman's  head,  in- 
tended to  show  the  merits  of  a  certain  face  powder, 
was  placed  side  by  side  with  the  portrait  of  Admiral 
Dewey  taken  from  an  illustrated  paper. 

Above  all  these  ornaments  was  the  real  proof  of 
Captain  Ike's  artistic  fancies,  in  the  shape  of  a 
shield,  made  up  of  clippings  from  colored  paper, with 


CAPTAIN   IKE  S   HOME. 


Page  38. 


Lobsters.  39 

a  printed  eagle  at  the  top,  and  sundry  mottoes  over 
the  stripes. 

It  might  seem  an  odd  dwelling  to  one  unac- 
quainted with  such  habitations  as  may  be  found 
along  the  Maine  coast.  But  to  Stephen  Jordan  it  was 
a  second  home ;  every  face  upon  the  wall  was  to  him 
that  of  an  old  friend.  The  heavy  gun,  which  hung 
upside  down  over  the  window,  was  one  he  had  used 
many  and  many  a  time  when  the  ducks  were  flying 
across  the  breakwater.  The  little  clock  that  half 
hid  the  gorgeous  coloring  of  a  railroad  advertise- 
ment was  the  same  as  a  portion  of  his  own  belong- 
ings, so  often  had  he  cleaned  and  coaxed  it  into 
running  order;  while,  from  the  coffee-pot  to  the 
bread-tin  under  the  bunk,  every  object  was  to  him 
so  familiar  that  he  would  have  given  particular 
notice  only  had  it  been  conspicuous  by  its  absence. 

The  "snack"  which  Captain  Ike  had  proposed 
they  should  eat  was  nothing  strange  or  peculiar  in 
the  way  of  food.  He  used  the  term  to  designate 
what  others  might  call  a  luncheon,  which,  on  this 
occasion,  consisted  of  boiled  lobsters  fried  to  a  deli- 
cate brown  hue,  ship's  bread,  and  a  cup  of  cold 
coffee. 

"  We  have  now  what  you  might  rightly  call 
settled  down  to  work,  eh,  partner  ?  "  the  fisherman 
said,  after  having  divided  into  two  equal  parts  all  the 
food  on  the  table.     "  This  'ere  is  our  first  layout 


4-0  Lobster  Catchers. 

in  a  business  way,  so  to  speak,  and  even  though 
there  's  a  heap  of  work  to  be  done,  I  'm  not  minded 
to  go  through  with  it  in  a  hurry.  You  an'  I  have 
known  each  other  as  mates  heretofore,  an'  now 
we  've  become  acquainted  as  business  associates, 
which,  I  reckon,  is  the  way  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett 
would  put  it,  if  he  was  airin'  what  little  he  knows. 
Now  then,  partner,  we  're  startin'  in  to  make  our- 
selves rich  on  a  small  scale,  with  as  good  a  steam 
craft  for  her  value  as  can  be  found  hereabouts;  an' 
seein'  's  how  we  're  likely  to  carve  a  name  for  our- 
selves in  the  world,  it  behooves  us  to  know  just  how 
this  'ere  thing  is  looked  upon  by  outsiders.  I  've 
been  savin'  up  a  piece  that  was  printed  in  the  papers 
when  Captain  Skillin's  built  his  lobster  pound  here- 
abouts, an'  I  want  you  to  read  it  till  we  get  kind  of 
an  insight  into  what  the  world  thinks  of  us." 

This  was  a  long  speech  for  Captain  Ike  to  make, 
and  it  had  been  delivered  in  a  tone  and  with  a  man- 
ner entirely  unlike  anything  Stephen  had  ever  seen 
displayed  by  his  partner. 

The  lad  was  so  thoroughly  surprised  by  the  fisher- 
man's sudden  desire  for  knowledge  on  a  subject 
with  which  he  was  already  thoroughly  familiar,  that 
he  took  up  the  printed  sheet  without  comment,  and 
read  the  following : 

"  The  coast  of  Maine  is  fringed  with  lobster-pots. 
Thousands  of  the  hardy  sons  of  the  shore  villages 


Lobsters.  41 

make  the  lobster  fishery  a  part  of  their  means  of 
gaining  a  livelihood.  Some  of  them  for  a  good  part 
of  the  year  leave  their  homes,  and  live  in  camps  on 
islands  far  from  the  mainland.  To  these  fishers  the 
news  of  the  great  world  outside,  the  opportunity  to 
market  their  wares,  and  the  goods  which  they  get 
in  return  for  their  toil,  are  brought  largely  by  the 
lobster  smacks.  Up  and  down  the  coast  go  these 
little  vessels.  They  stop  not  only  at  the  villages, 
but  they  also  drop  anchor  off  the  points  where  are 
the  little  camps  of  the  lobster-men,  and  wherever 
they  come  to  a  standstill  there  are  taken  on  board 
hundreds  of  the  struggling  lobsters,  until  at  last  the 
well  in  the  hull  of  the  boat  is  full,  and  she  is  headed 
for  Portland,  the  great  distributing  point  of  the 
Maine  lobster  fishery." 

Now,  there  's  what  you  might  call  a  good  de- 
scription of  the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Dyer,"  Captain 
Ike  interrupted.  "  We  're  a  lobster  smack,  so  to 
speak,  or  shall  be  when  on  board  the  Sprite.  I 
reckon  that  whosoever  wrote  that  had  looked  into 
the  business  a  good  bit,  although  I  ain't  prepared 
to  say  there  's  many  fishermen  as  go  campin'  out. 
Read  on  further,  Stephen  lad,  an'  let  's  see  what 
the  fellow  has  got  to  say  about  smacks.  I  never 
have  read  it  as  carefully  as  I  ought  to  'a  done, 
'cause,  as  I  've  said  before,  I  was  young  an'  foolish 
once,  an'  threw  away  my  chances  for  stowin'  up 
book  learnin'  when  it  would  have  come  easy." 


42  Lobster  Catchers. 

This  reading  of  a  matter  which  was  so  familiar 
interested  Deacon  Brackett's  nephew,  and  he  acted 
upon  the  suggestion  without  delay. 

Time  was  when  all  smacks  were  sailing  vessels; 
but  that  has  gone  by  now,  and  we  find  among  them 
a  good  many  steamers.  The  man  who  is  familiar 
with  the  craft  which  ply  the  waters  of  the  bay  has 
little  difficulty  in  pointing  out  a  lobsterman  when 
the  boat  is  a  long  way  off.  The  prevailing  style  of 
marine  architecture  used  in  the  building  of  the  lob- 
ster smacks  is  one  which  is  distinguished  by  the 
arrangement  of  the  deck-houses :  a  small  pilot-house 
forward,  with  an  open  space  between  it  and  the 
engine-house,  and  living  quarters  aft.  In  addition, 
the  boat  has  one  or  two  short  masts.  It  is  under 
the  open  space  between  the  deck-houses  that  the 
well  is  found.  This  is  a  tank  capable  of  holding  as 
many  as  ten  thousand  live  lobsters.  It  is  kept  filled 
with  sea  water,  so  that  the  freight  is  brought  to  the 
wharves  in  Portland  in  good  condition,  except  for 
the  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  which  have  come 
to  an  untimely  end  through  the  violence  with  which 
they  have  been  pitched  about  as  the  boat  rolled  and 
plunged  in  stormy  seas.  In  a  good  trip,  the  propor- 
tion of  dead  and  injured  lobsters  is  small;  but  a 
stress  of  weather  may  cause  the  death  of  so  many 
that  the  profits  of  the  voyage  are  swallowed  up." 

"  Now,  right  here  I  want  to  say  that  I  don't  agree 
with  the  man  who  wrote  that,  so  far  as  our  business 
is  concerned;  for  I  'm  allowin'  that  if  we  find  we  're 


Lobsters.  43 

like  to  keep  part  of  the  cargo  in  the  tanks  more  'n 
eight  an'  forty  hours,  it  will  be  a  question  of  turnin' 
to  an'  feedin'  'em  with  fish.  A  lobster  will  eat 
almost  anything;  but  he  'd  rather  have  a  bit  of 
fresh  fish  than  a  claw  of  his  own  kith  an'  kin." 

"  I  had  n't  finished  what  the  man  says  about 
fishing  smacks,"  Stephen  suggested. 

"  Go  on,  lad.  I  was  n't  countin'  on  chokin'  you 
off;  but  only  said  what  has  happened  in  my  mind 
since  we  've  come  to  be  owners,  so  to  speak,  of  the 
good  steamer  Sprite. 

Stephen  resumed  his  reading. 

"  Each  smack  man  has  his  route  from  town  to 
town,  and  from  island  to  island.  He,  or  members 
of  his  crew,  know  fishermen  here  and  there,  and 
these  friends  generally  save  their  catch  for  the 
coming  of  their  favorite  smack,  so  that  each  captain 
loses  little  time.  He  knows  as  a  rule  where  he  will 
find  his  wares,  and  goes  direct  to  the  places.  The 
lobsters  are  bought  of  the  fishermen,  and  then,  in 
cases  where  the  smack  is  not  owned  by  the  dealer, 
are  sold  in  the  market,  the  price  paid  being  enough 
in  excess  of  that  given  in  the  first  place  to  reimburse 
the  smack  for  the  amount  paid  out,  and  provide  a 
suitable  amount  for  freight.  That,  in  brief,  is  the 
way  in  which  lobsters  are  procured  and  brought  to 
Portland.  There  are  fifteen  or  twenty  smacks  which 
make  this  their  headquarters,  and  they  run  the 
year  round.  Of  this  number,  about  one  third  are 
steamers." 


44  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  An'  we  're  one  of  that  third, eh  —  or  shall  be  after 
we  've  spent  a  little  time  in  rjettin'  the  steamer  into 
shape  ?  "  Captain  Ike  interrupted  again.  "  Have  you 
got  through  with  what  it  says  about  the  business  ?  " 
Oh,  no;  I  've  only  read  a  little  bit  of  it  so  far. 
Here  is  a  lot  of  figures  telling  how  many  lobsters 
are  caught." 

Read  'em,  lad,  read  'em!  If  there  's  a  man  or 
boy,  or  a  dozen  men  an'  boys,  that  can  pretend  to 
say  how  many  lobsters  are  taken  hereabouts,  I  'd 
like  to  hear  it,  for  the  thing  can't  be  known,  ac- 
cordin'  to  my  way  of  thinkin'." 

"It  's  all  here,  Captain  Ike,  down  to  the  very 
last  lobster,"  and  Stephen  read  the  following: 

"  The  lobster  cars  in  Portland  dock  are  familiar 
sights.  Into  them  are  thrown  the  lobsters  brought 
in  by  the  smacks,  and,  later,  these  lobsters  are  taken 
out  by  means  of  scoops  and  lifted  to  the  warehouses 
on  the  wharves  above.  It  is  a  popular  impression 
that  the  lobsters  are  all  boiled  in  Portland ;  but  that 
is  not  the  case.  How  far  do  you  suppose  lobsters 
are  sent  alive  ?  To  New  York  ?  They  go  farther 
than  that.  It  is  not  unusual  for  large  shipments  to 
be  made  from  the  Portland  market  to  Chicago  and 
other  far  Western  cities.  To  get  them  there,  the 
lobsters  are  placed  in  barrels,  liberally  supplied  with 
ice,  and  are  generally  sent  by  express,  although 
some  are  transhipped  to  cold-storage  cars  at  Boston. 
The  lobsters  brought  to  the  Portland  market  are 


Lobsters.  45 

handled  by  about  a  dozen  firms.  The  amount  of 
the  business  they  do  may  be  dimly  realized  when  it 
is  stated  that  last  year  there  were  brought  to  this 
city,  in  the  lobster  smacks,  2,592,916  lobsters.  In 
addition  to  this,  there  were  landed  here  considerable 
amounts  of  the  fish  taken  in  small  boats  in  this 
vicinity.  In  the  whole  State  of  Maine,  last  year, 
there  were  taken,  as  nearly  as  the  State  Commis- 
sioner of  Shore  Fisheries  could  ascertain,  8,178,332 
lobsters,  having  a  value  of  $937,239,  the  fishery 
giving  employment  to  3103  men,  who  used  appa- 
ratus, consisting  of  boats,  lobster-pots,  and  gear 
worth  $1,445,213.  These  figures  do  not  include  the 
value  of  the  smacks.  In  the  whole  State  last  year 
there  were  in  use  thirty-two  sailing  vessels  and  nine 
steamers  in  this  business." 

"  I  wonder  if  that  chap  has  reckoned  in  short 
lobsters, —  for  there  's  a  power  of  'em  sold,  as  both 
you  an'  I  know,  lad,  even  though  it  's  against  the 
law.  But  I  've  seen  honest  men  as  would  come 
out  here  an'  say  to  me,  '  Captain  Ike,  you  don't 
happen  to  have  any  short  lobsters,  do  you  ?  '  An' 
I  've  sold  'em  lobsters  that  was  clean  ten  inches  an' 
a  half,  at  a  good  fair  price,  they  thinkin'  to  get 
somethin'  they  ought  not." 

Here  's  what  it  says,"  Stephen  replied,  as  he 
resumed  his  reading: 

It  is  no  wonder  that  the  State  law  makers  have 
given  their  attention  to  the  preservation  of  the  lob- 
ster supply,  and  the  workings  of  the  State  law  may 


46  Lobster  Catchers. 

be  seen  any  day ;  for,  as  the  men  standing  on  the 
cars  dip  up  the  lobsters  in  their  big  scoops,  and  pack 
them  in  the  barrels,  it  will  be  observed  that  those 
which  are  so  small  as  to  make  it  doubtful  if  they 
are  ten  and  a  half  inches  long,  are  promptly  meas- 
ured. Each  man  has  by  his  side  a  piece  of  wood, 
on  which  are  two  raised  bars  of  brass.  These  are 
the  guages,  and  a  lobster  which  does  not  reach  from 
one  piece  of  brass  to  the  other  is  rejected  as  being 
under  length." 

"  I  reckon  the  man  what  wrote  that  has  had  a 
taste  of  short  lobsters  himself,  else  he  would  have 
said  more,"  Captain  Ike  remarked,  when  Stephen 
paused  for  an  instant.  "  But  there  's  enough  of  it, 
such  as  it  is,  an'  we  've  come  pretty  near  spendin' 
all  the  time  that  's  to  be  spared,  for  Captain  Skill- 
in's  will  get  the  idee  that  we  ain't  overly  anxious 
to  take  up  with  his  offer  if  we  dwaddle  round  here 
very  long." 

"  There 's  only  a  little  more  of  the  story,"  Stephen 
suggested,  in  a  tone  which  told  that  he  was  eager  to 
read  to  the  end,  and  his  partner  replied: 

"  Go  ahead  with  it  then,  lad,  an'  I  '11  be  clearin' 
the  table  while  you  're  at  work,  so  we  '11  have  clean 
decks  when  we  come  in  after  sundown." 

The  younger  partner  made  haste  to  arrive  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  article,  and  Captain  Ike  did  not 
interrupt  him  again  until  the  reading  was  finally 
come  to  an  end : 


Lobsters.  47 

"  The  lobster  is  an  interesting  fellow  to  watch, 
and  there  is  much  that  observers  have  learned  about 
him  and  his  habits.  He  is  found  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  as  far  south  as  Delaware,  and  as  far  toward  the 
frozen  north  as  the  shores  of  Labrador.  A  few 
stragglers  have  been  seen  on  the  Virginia  coast,  but 
they  were  evidently  lost,  and  had  wandered  farther 
south  than  any  self-respecting  lobster  intends  to  get. 
As  we  come  north  in  the  search  of  the  lobsters,  they 
will  be  found  to  gradually  increase  in  numbers. 
They  are  not  very  abundant  off  the  New  Jersey 
coast,  but  there  is  one  ledge  in  the  vicinity  of  Long 
Branch  where  the  lobsters  gather  in  comparatively 
large  numbers.  North  of  New  Jersey  it  is  not  far 
to  the  region  where  the  lobsters  are  at  home. 

"  Time  was  when  they  were  numerous  in  New 
York  Bay,  but  the  growth  of  manufacturing  along 
its  shores,  and  the  consequent  pollution  of  the 
waters,  has  driven  them  away.  It  is  when  the 
waters  off  the  coasts  of  Massachusetts  and  Maine 
are  reached,  however,  that  the  real  home  of  the 
American  lobsters  has  been  found. 

"  The  lobster  is  not  particular  as  to  the  depth  of 
water  in  which  he  makes  his  home.  He  cares  more 
for  the  kind  of  bottom  on  which  he  is  to  dwell. 
That  must  be  of  sand  or  rocks.  As  to  the  depth, 
you  can  find  him  in  the  shallow  water  near  the  shore, 
and  also  at  the  bottom  where  there  are  eighty  fath- 
oms of  green  sea  waves  above  him.  He  has  been 
seen  as  far  off  shore  as  the  Grand  Banks.  The  lobster 
goes  to  the  sea  shore  in  the  warm  months,  moving 
from  the  greater  depths  farther  out.     The  lobster 


48  Lobster  Catchers. 

is  a  deep-water  denizen.  That  is,  he  stays  at  the 
bottom,  whether  his  home  be  in  ten  or  fifty  fathoms. 
He  has  been  seen  to  dodge  an  enemy  by  executing 
a  backward  and  upward  movement,  pulling  himself 
through  the  water  with  his  tail.  The  attempt  at 
flight  does  not  last  long,  and  he  soon  settles  to  the 
bottom  again.  When  the  lobster  moves  about  with- 
out fear  of  molestation,  he  does  so  by  walking  on 
those  small  claws  which  lobster  lovers  find  so  de- 
licious. His  tail  is  then  spread  out  to  help  him 
over  the  ground.  Throw  a  lobster  into  the  water, 
and  he  will  flap  his  tail  once  or  twice  until  he  is  in 
a  proper  position  to  land  on  his  claws  when  he 
reaches  the  bottom.  Then  he  will  descend  obliquely 
through  the  water,  and  slowly,  with  no  undignified 
haste,  he  will  get  his  walking  apparatus  in  motion 
again.  The  lobster  can  swim  a  little,  but  he  is 
really,  popular  ideas  to  the  contrary,  notwithstand- 
ing, a  creature  which  walks  upon  the  bottom  of  the 
sea,  using  as  feet  the  small  claws,  and  keeping  the 
big  ones  held  out  in  front  of  him  to  seize  on  his 
food  or  an  enemy. 

"  The  lobster  frequently  changes  his  clothes.  As 
he  grows,  he  repeatedly  sheds  his  skin.  He  does  it 
as  the  small  boy  sheds  his  old  clothing.  The  lob- 
ster gets  so  big  that  the  shell  bursts  at  places,  as  the 
boy's  coat  and  trousers  give  out  at  elbows  and 
knees.  Then  a  new  shell  forms,  and  the  lobster 
wears  it  until  outgrown,  when  he  repeats  the  shed- 
ding process.  Scientists  do  not  know  just  how 
often  a  healthy  lobster  provides  himself  with  a  new 
suit ;  but  they  have  a  theory  that  in  good  feeding 


Lobsters.  49 

grounds  the  lobster  outgrows  his  clothes  faster  than 
in  poor  ones,  just  as  the  healthy  lad  who  gets 
enough  to  eat  needs  a  new  wardrobe  oftener  than 
would  have  been  required  by  Oliver  Twist  in  his 
poorhouse  days." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    "  SPRITE." 

IT  was  not  until  Stephen  had  ceased  reading  the 
article  that  he  realized  how  much  time  had  been 
spent,  and  to  him  just  now  every  moment  seemed 
precious. 

I  was  a  fool  to  keep  on  with  that  when  we 
might  have  read  it  any  evening,"  he  said  in  an 
apologetic  tone ;  "  but  it  's  the  first  time  I  ever  saw 
anything  printed  about  the  fishing  business  around 
here,  and  it  seemed  interesting." 

"So  it  is,  lad,  so  it  is,  if  for  no  other  reason 
than  to  point  out  the  mistakes  of  him  who  wrote 
it.  Now  I  ain't  allowin'  that  that  story,  if  you  will 
call  it  a  story,  is  just  straight,  'cause  I  don't  believe 
anybody  can  figger  up  exactly  how  many  lobsters  are 
taken  every  year.  But  it  '11  go  for  what  it  's  worth, 
an'  we  're  none  the  worse  off  for  havin'  spent  a  few 
minutes  lookin'  it  over,  seein'  's  how  it  goes  into 
the  details,  so  to  speak,  of  the  business  we  're  jest 
startin'  on.  Now,  everything  bein'  shipshape  here, 
s'posen  we  put  off  for  the  Sprite.  It  's  a  pull  of  a 
couple  of  miles,  with  a  pretty  heavy  break,  an'  we 
sha'n't  much  more  than  finish  it  up  before  sundown. " 

50 


The  "  Sprite."  51 

Stephen  followed  his  partner  with  alacrity.  The 
door  was  closed  behind  them ;  but  not  locked,  for 
the  very  good  reason  that  there  was  no  one  in  the 
vicinity  who  would  do  any  injury  to  the  fisher- 
man's household  goods,  and  it  was  so  far  from  the 
highway  that  strangers  seldom  wandered  in  that 
direction. 

The  "  old  "  dory  which  Captain  Ike  had  proposed 
to  use  in  this  work  was  the  poorer  of  the  two  boats 
he  owned,  and  also  the  easier  to  row. 

The  other,  a  "  Crotch  Island  dory,"  was  better 
adapted  for  heavy  weather,  and  the  fisherman  was 
exceedingly  careful  not  to  give  her  any  more  wear 
than  might  be  absolutely  necessary,  for  there  were 
times — many  times — in  his  life  when  an  unsound 
timber  or  butt  that  had  started  would  prove  his 
destruction. 

Stephen  seated  himself  on  the  thwart  amidships 
when  the  boat  had  been  pushed  off  from  the  nar- 
row strip  of  land  which  bordered  the  line  of  rock, 
taking  up  the  lighter  pair  of  oars,  while  Captain  Ike, 
standing  erect  in  the  stern,  pulled  the  heavy  pair  as 
he  faced  his  partner. 

The  sea  was  comparatively  smooth,  and  the  task 
of  rowing  the  dory  two  miles  was  to  this  man  and 
boy  no  more  arduous  than  would  have  been  a  tramp 
ashore  of  half  that  distance. 

The  Sprite  lay  at  anchor  in  the  little  harbor  nearby 


52  Lobster  Catchers. 

Captain  Skilling's  dwelling,  and  rusty  and  worn  did 
she  look  when  her  new  masters  stepped  aboard,  for 
during  at  least  two  months  she  had  been  left  to  the 
mercy  of  the  weather. 

"  A  coat  of  paint  would  do  her  a  power  of  good, 
and  it  would  be  much  like  a  new  suit  of  clothes  on 
you,  Stephen.  But  the  paint  and  the  clothes  must 
be  left  for  another  time,  when  we  've  earned  enough 
to  pay  for  'em,  I  reckon.  The  main  question  is 
whether  we  've  got  gear  enough  to  carry  on  the 
business,  or  if  we  '11  be  forced  to  run  in  debt  for 
this  thing  or  that  until  a  big  hole  is  eat  in  the 
season's  profits." 

"  We  can  find  out  all  that  after  she  's  moored  in 
front  of  the  red  shanty,"  the  lad  replied,  as  his 
partner  began  throwing  off  the  forehatch  in  order  to 
make  a  survey  of  the  steamer's  fittings.  "  We  sha'n't 
more  than  get  her  into  the  cove  before  dark." 

"  You  're  right,  lad,  an'  there  's  no  reason  why 
we  should  look  a  gift  horse  in  the  mouth,  so  to  speak, 
within  a  minute  after  he  's  come  into  our  possession. 
But  I  was  kind  of  anxious  to  know  how  we  might 
be  fitted  out,"  and  Captain  Ike  replaced  the  bar 
across  the  hatch  as  he  began  weighing  the  after 
anchor. 

Stephen  busied  himself  forward,  and  within  a  few 
moments  after  they  were  come  aboard  the  steamer 
was  made  fast  to  the  dorv. 


The  "  Sprite."  53 

Then  was  begun  the  work  of  towing  the  Sprite  to 
her  new  anchorage,  and  a  heavy  task  did  it  prove. 

The  steamer  was  fifty-two  feet  on  the  water-line, 
with  a  twelve-foot  beam,  and  drawing  not  less  than 
six  feet.  To  tow  her  almost  dead  against  the  wind 
was  no  small  undertaking,  and  after  they  had  pulled 
half  an  hour  or  more,  Captain  Ike  said,  as  he  ceased 
work  at  the  oars  for  an  instant : 

"  It  's  a  pretty  heavy  job,  lad;  but  I  reckon  it  's 
bound  to  pay  in  the  long  run.  Perhaps  we  would 
have  been  wiser  to  get  up  steam,  for  I  reckon  there 
must  be  enough  in  the  way  of  fuel  aboard  to  start 
the  screw." 

"  I  'm  saying  to  myself  that  we  're  getting  this 
steamer  simply  for  the  towing  of  her,  and  it  makes 
the  work  seem  lighter,"  Stephen  replied  cheerily. 

I  '11  never  complain  about  any  job  's  being  hard 
while  we  're  in  the  lobster  business.  Only  think! 
A  few  hours  ago,  I  had  given  up  all  hope  of  earning 
anything  this  winter,  and  believed  that  when  spring 
came  mother  and  I  would  be  so  far  in  debt  that  a 
good  summer's  work  would  n't  pull  us  out.  Now 
I  've  got  a  better  show  for  supporting  the  family 
than  father  had  during  the  last  five  years  he  lived, 
because,  under  the  best  of  circumstances,  the  farm 
would  n't  earn  as  much  as  we  ought  to  be  able  to 
make  with  this  steamer." 

It  's  to  be  hoped  that  the  business  will  come 


54  Lobster  Catchers. 

out  all  right,  lad,  and  I  believe  it  is  next  thing  to  a 
certainty ;  but  you  can't  always  tell.  A  storm,  now, 
when  you  are  least  prepared  for  it,  or  a  dull  market 
with  a  cargo  of  lobsters  on  hand  that  won't  fetch 
what  was  paid,  and  a  man  is  like  to  see  a  good  many 
weeks  of  hard  work  wiped  out." 

If  any  trouble  like  that  comes  to  us,  we  '11  have 
to  grin  and  bear  it,  I  suppose,"  Stephen  said,  yet 
speaking  cheerily.  ' '  But  a  good  deal  of  it  we  can 
fight  against  by  being  always  ready  for  a  storm  when 
we  're  outside,  and  by  making  quick  runs,  so  that 
the  price  of  lobsters  can't  fall  a  great  deal  on  us. 
I  'm  not  going  to  admit  that  there  's  a  show  of 
losing  money  if  we  attend  right  out  sharply  to  our 
work." 

"  That  's  the  way  to  talk,  lad;  an'  if  you  live  up 
to  what  you  're  sayin',  we  '11  be  insured  against  a 
bad  business.  We  must  make  the  Sprite  pay,  unless 
we  're  willin'  to  give  up  this  'ere  scheme  next 
spring;  for  if  she  brings  Captain  Skillin's  in  good 
returns  for  the  money  invested,  he  '11  be  more  than 
glad  to  have  us  run  her  for  another  season.  An' 
the  way  I  've  come  to  look  at  this  thing,  since  you 
first  spoke  of  it,  is  that  we  've  got  a  big  show. 
Why,  between  you  an'  me,  lad,  I  would  n't  give 
this  'ere  craft,  with  the  chances  we  've  got,  for  the 
Ben  Jordan  farm  this  very  minute." 

"  I  'm  hoping,   Captain  Ike,   that  people  won't 


The  "Sprite."  55 

always  speak  of  the  homestead  as  they  do  now. 
If  this  scheme  turns  out  as  I  believe  it  will,  you  '11 
see  it  as  good  a  place  as  can  be  found  in  this  county ; 
for  after  mother  and  the  children  have  got  what 
they  need,  I  '11  begin  putting  out  a  dollar  here  and 
there  on  the  land  until  it  's  where  it  can  be  made 
to  pay  as  in  the  old  days.  It  is  n't  a  bad  farm, 
Captain  Ike,  except  for  being  run  out." 

"  Bless  you,  lad,  I  ain't  sayin'  a  word  against  the 
farm,  'cause  I  can  remember,  an'  not  sich  a  dreadful 
many  years  ago,  when  it  was  taxed  for  nigh  about 
as  much  as  the  place  Captain  Skillin's  lives  on. 
Then  your  father  was  took  with  the  rheumatiz 
powerful  bad ;  a  lot  of  youngsters  come  along,  until 
it  was  hard  scratchin'  to  fill  their  hungry  mouths. 
An'  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  stood  lookin'  on  with- 
out offerin'  a  helpin'  hand,  while  his  brother-in-law 
was  fightin'  desperate  hard  to  make  both  ends 
meet." 

In  this  manner,  speaking  now  and  then  of  the 
business  outlook,  but  talking  mainly  of  the  Ben 
Jordan  farm,  and  what  could  be  done  with  it  provid- 
ing the  necessary  capital  was  raised,  the  two  partners 
worked  steadily  and  sturdily  at  the  oars,  until  finally, 
when  the  sun  was  within  half  an  hour  of  setting,  the 
Sprite  was  brought  to  an  anchor  in  deep  water 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  red  shanty. 

Now  we  've  made  what  you  may  call  a  beginnin' 


56  Lobster  Catchers. 

in  this  scheme  of  yours,  lad,"  Captain  Ike  said,  as 
he  moored  the  little  craft,  taking  good  care  there 
was  plenty  of  scope  to  the  cable,  but  not  so  much 
that  she  might  swing  in  on  to  the  jagged  rocks  when 
the  tide  should  rise.  "  We  've  made  a  beginnin', 
an'  I  want  you  to  hold  on  here  a  bit  while  I  run  up 
to  the  hut." 

"  There  's  plenty  of  work  to  be  done  in  the 
engine-room,  and  there  must  be  lanterns  aboard, 
therefore  I  can  do  it  as  well  after  dark  as  in  the 
daylight.  So  get  supper  ready,  if  that  's  what 
you  're  counting  on;  but  don't  call  me  for  quite  a 
spell." 

Captain  Ike  smiled  complacently,  as  if  he  were 
about  to  perform  some  pleasing  task;  and  without 
further  words  he  stepped  into  the  dory,  pulling 
ashore  as  Stephen  went  below  to  the  engine,  which 
occupied  a  portion  of  that  space  aft  given  up  to  the 
quarters  of  the  crew. 

Engine-room,  forecastle,  and  kitchen  were  all  one 
aboard  this  craft,  which  was  intended  for  commer- 
cial purposes  rather  than  pleasuring,  and  very  cosy 
and  snug  did  it  seem  to  Stephen  Jordan  when  he 
descended  and  looked  about  him  with  the  conscious- 
ness that,  during  a  certain  number  of  months  at 
least,  he  was  directly  interested  in  the  little  steamer 
and  her  work. 

That  Captain  Ike  had  not  gone  ashore  in  order 


The  "Sprite."  57 

to  prepare  supper  was  shown  when  he  returned,  in 
less  than  five  minutes  after  having  set  out,  carrying 
under  his  arm  a  small  bundle,  wrapped  in  an  old 
newspaper. 

"  What  made  you  come  back  so  soon  ?  "  Stephen 
asked,  as  he  heard  his  partner's  footsteps  above  him. 
"  You  can't  more  than  well  get  to  work  before  it 
will  be  dark." 

I  ain't  countin'  on  doin'  overly  much  the  bal- 
ance of  this  day,  lad ;  but  I  want  you  up  on  deck  a 
minute." 

Stephen  was  not  willing  to  leave  so  soon  the  work 
which  he  had  but  just  begun,  yet  he  could  not  well 
refuse  to  obey  the  summons,  and  as  his  head  ap- 
peared above  the  companion-way  hatch,  Captain 
Ike,  holding  up  the  parcel,  said: 

"  What  do  you  allow  I  've  got  here,  lad  ?  " 
I  don't  know." 

"Well,  it  's  somethin'  you  ought  to  be  most 
interested  in  just  now.  When  you  see  a  lobster 
smack  off  here,  how  do  you  know  what  concern  she 
belongs  to  ?  " 

How  do  I  know  ?  "  Stephen  asked,  a  puzzled 
expression  coming  over  his  face.  "  Why,  some- 
times I  'm  well  acquainted  with  the  craft,  and  when 
I  ain  't  she  will  mostly  have  the  firm's  flag  flying, 
and  that  tells  plain  enough." 

"  You  're  right,  lad;  that  's  what  does  tell;  and 


58  Lobster  Catchers. 

did  you  count  that  the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Dyer  was 
goin'  to  begin  without  a  private  signal,  so  that  they 
could  be  known  ?  Well,  I  reckon  we  don't  do 
business  that  way." 

As  he  spoke,  Captain  Ike  slowly  took  off  the 
newspaper  covering,  displaying  a  red  flag,  bearing 
upon  its  centre  the  letter  J  in  white. 

How  is  that  for  the  firm's  flag  ?"  he  asked 
triumphantly.  "  Fits  in  great  shape,  don't  it  ?  J 
for  Jordan;  an',  seein'  's  how  the  Dyer  end  of  this 
partnership  don't  count  for  much,  there  's  no  need 
of  any  D  on  it." 

"  Where  did  you  get  it  ?  "  Stephen  asked,  with 
no  little  show  of  excitement,  for  this  idea  of  having 
a  private  signal  was  much  to  his  liking. 

"  When  I  've  answered  that  question,  you  '11 
think  more  of  Jordan  &  Dyer's  house  flag  than  you 
do  now.  It  belonged  to  your  father,  lad,  an'  he 
used  it  nigh  on  to  twenty-five  years  ago." 

"  But  father  never  was  a  sailor." 

"  Right  you  are,  lad;  he  was  n't.  In  them  days, 
though,  he  had  money  to  invest,  and  bought  the 
controllin'  shares  in  two  vessels  that  fished  off  the 
Georges.  He  allowed  that  there  was  more  money 
at  sea  than  ashore,  an'  believed  he  could  gather  it 
in  while  stay  in'  at  home.  Then  is  when  he  had  this 
flag,  and  I  was  captain  of  the  Ellen  Maria,  which 
went  down  off  the  Banks  one  night  in  a  fog,  when  a 


The  "  Sprite."  59 

thousand-ton  ship  cut  her  to  the  water's  edge.  I 
had  been  lyin'  under  the  lee  of  the  deck-house  aft, 
with  this  flag  for  a  pillow,  an'  when  the  danger 
come  I  kept  hold  of  the  buntin'  without  any  thought 
of  what  I  was  doin'.  Half  an  hour  or  so  afterwards, 
when  the  crew  of  the  South  Wind  picked  me  up,  I 
had  this  in  my  hand.  It  was  all  we  saved  belongin' 
to  the  Ellen  Maria,  an'  I  asked  your  father  to  give 
it  to  me;  for  we  was  fishin'  on  shares  them  days, 
an'  this  'ere  signal  represented  what  come  to  me  for 
more  'n  eight  months'  work." 

If  father  lost  his  money  in  the  fishing  business, 
it  's  rather  a  hard  look  ahead  for  me  to  try  to  make 
enough  out  of  it  to  put  the  farm  back  into  shape," 
Stephen  said  thoughtfully,  the  sight  of  the  house 
flag,  and  the  story,  which  he  had  never  before  heard, 
although  having  been  friendly  with  Captain  Ike  this 
many  a  year,  causing  him  to  have  a  fear  of  the 
future. 

Now,  don't  get  superstitious,  lad.  There  's 
nothin'  in  fancies  of  that  kind.  If  your  father  took 
from  the  farm  to  lose  in  the  fishin'  business,  there  's 
no  reason  why  you  should  n't  take  from  the  fishin' 
business  to  help  the  farm  out.  And  the  flag  that 
comes  from  the  Ellen  Maria  at  the  time  of  her  de- 
struction shall  be  hoisted  at  the  masthead  of  the 
Sprite  in  the  day  of  your  success." 

That  is  yet  to  be  seen,  Captain  Ike,"  Stephen 


60  Lobster  Catchers. 

replied  doubtfully.  And  when  the  old  man  proudly 
hosited  the  square  of  red  with  its  letter  of  white  to 
the  steamer's  gaff,  there  was  just  a  shade  of  fore- 
boding in  the  young  engineer's  mind. 

When  this  ceremony,  and  to  the  old  fisherman  it 
was  evidently  a  solemn  one,  had  come  to  an  end  by 
making  fast  the  halliards,  Stephen  went  below  to 
his  long  task  with  the  machines,  and  Captain  Ike 
busied  himself  in  the  forward  hold  overhauling  the 
steamer's  gear. 

Night  had  come  before  the  old  fisherman  finished 
his  task  and  rejoined  his  partner  aft. 

"  I  reckon  there  's  everythin'  aboard  that  will 
be  needed  for  the  first  two  or  three  cruises,"  he  said, 
in  a  tone  of  satisfaction.  "  I  did  allow  Captain 
Skillin's  would  have  stripped  this  craft  in  order  to 
fit  out  the  new  boat.  But  it  seems  he  must  have 
had  some  idee  of  puttin'  her  into  commission  again 
whenever  he  could  find  a  crew,  'cause  it  don't  look 
to  me  as  if  any  thin'  had  been  taken  away." 

"  When  can  we  make  the  first  trip  ?  "  Stephen 
asked,  without  looking  up  from  his  task  of  cleaning 
the  engine. 

Whenever  it  so  be  you  are  ready." 
I  should  be  able  to  have  her  in  running  order 
by  noon  to-morrow." 

And  then  will  come  the  takin'  on  board  of  fuel, 
which  won't  be  a  small  job,  considerin'  that  you  're 


The  "Sprite."  61 

countin'  on  burnin'  wood.  But,  to  tell  the  truth, 
lad,  I  don't  see  where  you  're  goin'  to  stow  it.  We 
need  coal,  an'  that  's  a  fact.  Come  to  count  the 
cost  of  any  other  fuel,  the  puttin'  aboard,  an'  the 
space  it  will  occupy,  it  '11  be  about  the  same  as  if 
we  went  into  town  an'  filled  the  bunkers  properly." 
There  's  enough  here  to  run  her  twenty-four 
hours,  I  should  say.  Of  course,  we  must  make 
some  account  of  it  to  Captain  Skillings." 

We  '11  tell  him  it  's  here,  an'  if  he  wants  to 
charge  up  a  little  bit  of  truck  like  that,  why,  well 
an'  good;  we  can't  help  ourselves;  but  I  allow  it  '11 
all  come  in  with  the  good-will.  What  do  you  say 
to  usin'  coal  ?  " 

"  I  '11  do  whatever  you  think  best,  Captain  Ike; 
but  it  seemed  to  me  we  could  save  a  little  money 
by  burning  wood." 

"  I  'm  allowin'  it  would  be  a  case  of  savin'  at  the 
spigot  an'  wastin'  at  the  bung.  Accordin'  to  my 
way  of  thinkin',  we  had  best  get  up  steam  as  soon 
as  it  can  be  done,  run  into  town,  fill  the  bunkers, 
an'  then  call  on  the  Captain  for  the  money  he  's 
agreed  to  advance.  I  've  got  cash  enough  to  pay 
for  all  we  '11  want  to  start  in  with  in  the  way  of  coal 
an'  grub,  an'  we  '11  be  on  our  first  cruise  two  days 
sooner  than  if  you  fiddled  round  here  loadin'  her 
down  with  wood." 

"  We  '11  do  as  you  think  best,"  Stephen  replied 


62  Lobster  Catchers. 

hesitatingly,  for  this  idea  of  spending  more  money 
than  was  absolutely  necessary,  even  though  by  so 
doing  much  time  might  be  saved,  was  not  exactly 
to  his  liking. 

"  We  've  got  to  take  enough  water  aboard  to  fill 
the  boiler  an'  the  tanks,  an'  that  much  I  can  be 
doin'  to-morrow  mornin',  so  that  when  you  give  the 
word  we  '11  start  the  fires.  Now,  you  would  want  to 
knock  off  some  time  to  go  an'  tell  your  mother  that 
we  're  on  the  point  of  startin' ;  so  s'posen  you  an'  I 
take  a  trip  up  to  the  farm  now.  We  '11  get  supper 
there,  an'  you  've  done  already  what  might  be 
called  a  day's  work." 

Stephen  was  eager  to  continue  at  his  task  of  get- 
ting the  Sprite  s  engines  in  working  order ;  but  he 
understood  full  well  that  it  was  necessary  to  see  his 
mother  before  leaving  port,  and  realized  that  there 
would  be  but  little  satisfaction  in  such  a  visit  as  he 
might  be  able  to  make  next  day. 

Therefore  it  was  that  he  dropped  his  tools,  made 
such  a  toilet  as  was  possible  under  the  circum- 
stances, and  the  partners  set  out,  both  considerably 
excited  by  the  knowledge  that  within  a  few  hours, 
at  the  longest,  a  test  would  be  made  of  Stephen's 
scheme. 

During  the  walk  from  the  red  shanty  to  the  farm- 
house, Captain  Ike  gave  his  views  on  the  work  which 
would  be  begun  on  the  morrow,  naming  this  place 


The  "  Sprite."  63 

or  that  as  the  most  promising  from  their  point  of 
view,  and,  in  fact,  mapped  out  one  full  cruise  for 
the  Sprite  ;  but  Stephen  had  no  comments  to  make. 

Until  they  were  fairly  embarked  in  the  enterprise, 
he  could  not  repress  the  fear  that  his  uncle  might 
succeed  in  setting  some  formidable  obstacle  in  their 
path ;  and  this  was  not  lessened  when  he  finally 
stood  before  his  mother,  having  explained  to  her 
what  had  been  done  by  way  of  making  ready  for 
the  first  cruise. 

"  I  believe  you  will  succeed  in  earning  good 
wages,  Stephen,  dear;  but  yet  I  wish  Uncle  Joshua 
looked  upon  the  plan  more  favorably,"  Mrs.  Jordan 
said,  when  her  son's  story  was  come  to  an  end. 

"  Has  he  been  here  since  I  left  ?  " 

"  He  went  directly  to  Captain  Skillings,  and 
came  here  on  his  way  home.  It  is  hardly  more 
than  ten  minutes  since  he  left  the  house." 

"  What  's  he  grumblin'  about  now,  ma'am  ?" 
Captain  Ike  asked  quickly.  "  Savin'  the  fact  that 
he  's  your  own  flesh  an'  blood,  I  mistrust  the 
Deacon,  though  I  fail  to  see  how  he  can  work 
Stephen  any  harm." 

"  I  don't  think  he  would  attempt  to  do  anything 
of  the  kind,  Captain  Dyer.  Uncle  Joshua  means 
well  in  all  he  does  and  says." 

"  That  may  be,  ma'am;  but  he  has  a  mighty 
queer  way  of  showin'  it  at  times.     I  don't  forget 


64  Lobster  Catchers. 

that  it  was  through  him  the  Ellen  Maria  was  n't 
insured  when  she  went  down." 

"  That  was  a  piece  of  forgetfulness,  Captain 
Dyer." 

"  Ay,  ma'am,  an'  forgetfulness  that  cost  your 
husband  more  money  than  this  'ere  farm  is  worth." 
There  is  no  good  reason  why  we  should  go  back 
into  the  past  to  find  cause  for  harsh  feelings.  Uncle 
Joshua  is  afraid  that,  in  case  this  venture  is  a  failure, 
Captain  Skillings  may  attach  the  farm  for  Stephen's 
debt  to  him  ;  and  he  has  warned  me  against  allowing 
the  boy  to  sail  in  the  Sprite." 

Stephen  turned  pale.  If  his  mother  insisted  that 
he  should  abandon  the  enterprise,  even  now,  when 
the  moment  for  carrying  out  the  business  had 
arrived,  he  knew  it  would  be  his  duty  to  obey  her, 
and  the  lad  cast  an  appealing  glance  at  Captain  Ike. 

"  Don't  let  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  fill  your  ear 
with  any  nonsense  like  that,  Mrs.  Jordan,"  the 
fisherman  said,  decidedly.  "  Neither  you  nor  any- 
one in  this  neighborhood  can  bring  up  one  thing 
Captain  Skillin's  has  ever  done  in  the  way  of  mean- 
ness, an'  it  don't  stand  to  reason  he  'd  begin  now, 
when  he  's  considerably  more  than  might  be  called 
a  rich  man.  The  rent  of  the  Sprite  is  to  be  half  of 
all  we  can  earn  with  her,  an'  as  for  the  hundred 
dollars  to  be  advanced,  why  it  's  only  to  buy  lob- 
sters  with !     We    shall   pay   it  back  with  the   first 


The  "  Sprite."  65 

cargo,  though  it  stands  to  reason  we  may  have  to 
borrow  it  again.  Stephen  ain't  takin'  any  more 
chances  than  if  he  went  out  with  me  after  mackerel. 
He  may  throw  away  his  time;  but  it  can't  be  worse 
than  that." 

Then  Captain  Ike  went  over  again  and  again  all 
the  details  of  the  proposed  enterprise,  until  Mrs. 
Jordan  understood  the  terms  of  the  bargain,  and, 
to  Stephen's  great  delight,  the  good  woman  ceased 
to  think  of  what  the  Deacon  had  said  as  she  realized 
more  fully  the  possibility  that  her  son  might  succeed 
in  earning  large  wages. 

"  I  will  never  say  anything  more  against  the  plan 
until  you  tell  me  it  is  a  failure,"  she  said  to  Stephen. 
"  I  can't  think  your  uncle  would  wilfully  do  you  a 
wrong;  but  it  may  be  that  he  is  too  careful.  Don't 
stay  away  from  home  longer  than  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary, and  be  sure  to  send  me  some  word  whenever 
the  opportunity  offers." 

Then  she  set  about  preparing  supper  for  the  part- 
ners, and  before  the  two  took  their  leave  she  was 
more  cheerful  than  Stephen  had  seen  her  for  many 
a  long  day. 

Be  as  good  a  boy  while  on  board  the  steamer  as 
you  have  always  been  at  home,  and  I  can  ask  for  no 
more,"  she  whispered  as  she  kissed  the  lad  good- 
by,  when  Captain  Ike  declared  that  they  had  "  no 

business  to  stay  longer." 

5 


66  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  You  sha'n't  have  cause  to  feel  ashamed  of  me, 
mother,"  Stephen  replied;  and  a  moment  later  he 
and  his  partner  were  on  their  way  to  the  red  shanty. 

"  You  can  depend  upon  it  that  this  'ere  lobster 
business  is  knockin'  Deacon  Brackett's  plans  awry," 
the  old  fisherman  said,  as  he  and  his  partner  walked 
briskly  toward  the  shore.  "He  wanted  you  to  loaf 
around  here  at  home  until  there  could  no  longer  be 
a  question  of  sellin'  the  farm,  when  he  'd  come  in 
with  some  imitation  of  an  offer,  claimin'  it  was 
made  from  the  goodness  of  his  heart,  instead  of  a 
deliberate  attempt  to  get  the  best  of  his  own  sister." 

"  I  can't  help  thinking  he  will  yet  contrive  to  pre- 
vent me  from  going  ahead  with  the  work,"  Stephen 
replied  moodily,  and  Captain  Ike  said,  in  a  cheery 
tone, 

"  Don't  get  down  to  the  heel,  lad.  I  've  had  one 
tussle  with  Deacon  Brackett  in  my  time,  an'  reckon 
I  can  hold  my  own  in  another.  We  two  will  run 
the  Sprite  this  winter,  an'  if  we  give  her  up  in  the 
spring,  it  '11  be  because  we  could  n't  earn  day 
wages. ' ' 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   FIRST  CRUISE. 

THE  occupants  of  the  red  shanty  were  astir  on 
the  morning  after  the  Sprite  was  brought 
around  to  her  new  mooring-place,  even  before  the 
sun  showed  his  face  above  the  eastern  waters. 

Having  slept  as  tired  men  do,  they  were  refreshed, 
and  a  single  thought  of  how  much  depended  on  this 
first  cruise  was  sufficient  to  render  them  most  eager 
to  set  about  the  final  preparations. 

Stephen  waited  only  long  enough  to  eat  a  portion 
of  his  breakfast,  and  then,  carrying  the  remainder 
of  the  food  with  him,  he  went  on  board  the  steamer 
to  resume  the  task  of  getting  the  engine  in  proper 
condition. 

Captain  Ike  remained  at  the  shanty  to  set  the 
household  goods  in  order,  for  he  counted  on  the 
possibility  of  leaving  port  that  same  day,  and  then 
he  put  on  board  the  Sprite  such  of  his  stores  as 
might  be  needed. 

This  done,  the  old  man  acted  as  assistant  to  the 
engineer,  and,  thanks  to  their  united  efforts,  the 
work  was  finished  a  full  hour  before  noon. 

We  can  light  the  fire  now,  and  if  you  're  of  the 
67 


68  Lobster  Catchers. 

same  mind  as  last  night,  we  '11  go  after  coal," 
Stephen  said,  with  a  long  sigh  of  relief  that  it  was 
at  last  possible  to  move  the  steamer. 

"  I  hold  to  it  that  we  '11  be  savin'  both  time  and 
money  by  givin'  up  the  idee  of  dependin'  on  wood. 
Start  her  as  soon  as  you  please,  lad.  Our  house 
flag  is  flyin',  an'  there  's  nothin'  to  prevent  the 
Sprite  from  leavin'  when  steam  has  been  raised." 

Half  an  hour  later  the  steamer  left  her  anchorage, 
Captain  Ike  in  the  wheel-house,  and  Stephen  at  the 
engine,  both  feeling  deeply  a  sense  of  the  responsi- 
bility which  rested  upon  them. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  the  old  fisherman  was  a 
good  pilot,  and  he  guided  the  little  craft  around  the 
cape,  up  through  the  devious  channel  among  the 
islands,  into  the  big  harbor  to  the  nearest  coal  dock. 

Here  the  partners  were  delayed  no  longer  than 
was  absolutely  necessary  in  order  to  take  the  fuel  on 
board,  for  theirs  was  the  only  steamer  in  quest  of 
coal.  And  it  was  yet  early  in  the  afternoon  when 
Captain  Ike  rang  the  starting  bell,  in  order  to  run 
around  to  the  Skillings  pier. 

An  express  wagon  stood  at  the  door  of  Captain 
Skillings's  warehouse,  taking  on  a  load  of  lobsters, 
when  the  Sprite  was  swung  in  at  the  dock  opposite 
the  building;  but  the  owner  of  the  premises  could 
not  be  seen. 

"  I  'm  afraid  we  sha'n't  start  on  our  first  cruise 


The  First  Cruise.  69 

this  day,  for,  of  course,  we  must  see  the  Captain  in 
order  to  get  money,"  Stephen  said,  coming  up  from 
below  just  as  Captain  Ike  had  made  the  steamer 
fast.  "  Perhaps  he  's  off  somewhere  talking  with 
Uncle  Joshua." 

"I  '11  answer  for  it  that  Sam  Skillin's  ain't 
wastin'  good  time  on  sich  as  the  Deacon,"  the 
fisherman  said,  with  a  hearty  laugh.  "  Will  you  go 
up  to  the  office,  or  shall  I  ?  " 

"  It  seems  as  if  you  'd  better  attend  to  that  part 
of  the  work." 

*  *  I  '11  do  so  much  of  it  as  amounts  to  askin'  for 
the  cash;  but  I  sha'n't  trust  myself  to  payin'  out 
any  of  the  money;  for  my  way  of  figgerin'  ain't 
what  you  might  call  up  to  date,  an'  it  won't  do  for 
us  to  come  out  wrong  in  the  accounts.  You  're  the 
bookkeeper,  treasurer,  an'  general  manager  of  this 
'ere  concern." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply, the  old  man  clambered 
up  on  the  dock,  and  it  seemed  as  if  he  had  but  just 
disappeared  within  the  building  before  Stephen  saw 
him  come  out  in  company  with  Captain  Skillings. 

Been  hustlin'  a  bit,  eh  ? "  the  merchant  asked, 
with  a  friendly  smile,  as  he  stood  on  the  edge  of 
the  pier  looking  critically  at  his  steamer. 

We  've  hurried  the  work  along,  sir,"  Stephen 
replied  ;  "  but  it  's  all  been  done  as  well  as  we  know 
how." 


jo  Lobster  Catchers. 

I  don't  question  it,  my  lad.  So  far  as  I  have 
seen,  you  always  do  your  work  thoroughly,  else  we 
might  not  be  partners  this  day.  Captain  Ike  tells 
me  you  count  on  makin'  Seal  Harbor  to-night  ?  " 

He  thought  we  would  be  likely  to  do  some  busi- 
ness there  in  the  future,  if  we  did  n't  make  a  dollar 
to-day.  It  stands  to  reason  that  the  fishermen  are 
not  hanging  around  waiting  for  us,  because  no  one 
knows  we  are  coming.  But,  after  this  first  cruise, 
I  'm  hoping  they  will  be  willing  to  hold  their  catch 
till  the  Sprite  arrives. ' ' 

"  I  reckon  you  've  got  it  figured  out  pretty  near 
right ;  if  not,  it  's  your  own  loss.  The  bookkeeper 
is  puttin'  up  the  money — small  bills  and  plenty  of 
change — so  you  won't  be  bothered  about  payin'  for 
what  is  taken  aboard.  It  will  count  in  your  favor 
if  you  settle  as  you  go,  for  fishermen,  like  all  the 
rest  of  us,  enjoy  seeing  the  result  of  their  labor,  an' 
bank  notes  or  silver  make  a  better  show  than 
promises.  Don't  hurry  back;  you  must  start  the 
trade  on  this  cruise,  an'  that  can't  always  be  done 
in  a  hurry.  Take  it  easy,  rememberin'  that  slow 
an'  steady  wins  many  a  race." 

Then,  having  assured  himself  by  personal  inspec- 
tion that  the  Sprite  was  in  proper^  order,  Captain 
Skillings  returned  to  his  warehouse,  the  old  fisher- 
man following  closely  at  his  heels,  in  order  to  bring 
back  the  promised  capital. 


The  First  Cruise.  71 

"  Uncle  Joshua  has  n't  been  doing  any  mischief 
up  to  this  time,  and  if  he  keeps  away  ten  minutes 
longer  we  '11  be  all  right,  so  far  as  this  cruise  is  con- 
cerned," Stephen  said  to  himself,  as  he  gazed  up 
and  down  the  pier,  almost  as  if  expecting  to  see  the 
Deacon  coming  in  hot  haste  to  forbid  the  payment 
of  the  money. 

Nothing  occurred  to  prevent  the  consummation 
of  the  business  transaction,  at  least,  in  so  far  as  the 
fish-dealer  was  concerned. 

Captain  Ike  came  out  of  the  warehouse  with  a 
small  canvas  bag,  which  was  rounded  out  as  if  well 
filled ;  waved  his  hand  by  way  of  adieu  to  some  one 
inside  the  building;  looked  up  and  down  the  pier,  as 
if  to  make  certain  the  Deacon  was  not  lurking  in  any 
out-of-the-way  hiding-place,  and  then  came  rapidly 
over  to  where  the  Sprite  was  moored. 

"  Well,  lad,"  he  said  in  a  tone  of  satisfaction, 
"  up  to  this  'ere  point  everythin'  has  gone  our  way. 
Your  precious  uncle  has  n't  been  able  to  give  the 
lobster  scheme  a  black  eye.  Captain  Skillin's  be- 
lieves he  is  makin'  a  good  trade  when  he  lets  the 
Sprite  on  half-shares,  an'  instead  of  puttin'  up  an 
even  hundred  dollars  for  a  starter,  insists  on  our 
takin'  a  hundred  an'  twenty-five.  It  's  all  here  in 
this  bag,  an'  we  can  head  the  steamer  for  Seal 
Harbor  whenever  you  say  the  word." 

"  Do  you  think  we  need  so  much  money,  Captain 


72  Lobster  Catchers. 

Ike  ?  "  Stephen  asked,  much  as  if  displeased  because 
the  amount  of  capital  had  been  increased.  "  It  's 
not  likely  we  shall  get  a  very  large  cargo  this  trip, 
and  there  is  no  good  reason  for  taking  more  than 
will  be  used." 

"  It  won't  do  any  harm  to  have  enough,  in  case 
we  find  trade  comes  our  way,"  the  old  man  replied 
as  he  handed  Stephen  the  canvas  bag.  "  That  part 
of  it  is  all  right,  accordin'  to  my  way  of  thinkin' ; 
but  you  've  lost  sight  of  what  may  be  important." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  How  about  the  licenses  for  us  to  run  this  'ere 
craft  ?  We  're  ready  to  put  to  sea ;  but  with  nothin' 
for  a  show  in  case  the  steamboat  inspectors  over- 
haul us." 

"I  'd  forgotten  the  licenses!  "  the  lad  cried  in 
dismay.  "  You  'd  better  carry  back  the  money, 
for  we  can't  leave  to-day!  " 

"  It  was  Captain  Skillin's  who  reminded  me  that 
we  was  n't  exactly  ready  to  sail.  But  at  the  same 
time  he  fixed  it  so  we  sha'n't  have  to  haul  up. 
He  '11  send  word  to  the  inspectors,  if  they  are  in 
town,  an'  we  can  get  the  papers  next  trip." 

"  Are  you  certain  it  '11  be  all  right  ?  " 

"  The  Captain  says  he  '11  see  the  business  through, 
an'  that  should  be  enough  for  us." 

Stephen  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then,  realizing 
that  the  owner  of  the  Sprite  would  not  be  likely  to 


The  First  Cruise.  J$ 

run  any  serious  risk  of  getting  into  trouble  with  the 
Government  officials,  said  quickly: 

"  Of  course  he  knows  best,  and  the  sooner  we  are 
off  the  better.  I  had  rather  make  Seal  Harbor  be- 
fore nightfall  than  be  running  in  the  night." 

You  're  the  skipper:  so  say  the  word,  an'  off 
we  go — to  make  our  fortunes,  eh,  lad  ?  " 

"  But  I  'm  not  the  captain  of  this  steamer," 
Stephen  said,  laughingly.  "  The  engineer's  berth  is 
about  all  I  can  fill,  and  it  's  for  you  to  give  the 
starting-bell." 

I  '11  do  it  under  your  orders,  my  boy  "  ;  and  the 
old  man  cast  off  the  hawsers,  Stephen  going  below 
to  wait  for  the  signal. 

Two  strokes  of  the  gong,  and  the  young  engineer 
set  the  machinery  in  motion. 

Slowly  the  little  craft  made  her  way  out  through 
the  tangle  of  vessels  and  steamers  until  she  was  well 
clear  of  the  inner  harbor;  and  then  a  jingling  of  the 
bell  told  that  Captain  Ike  believed  it  was  safe  to 
send  her  ahead  under  full  steam. 

Unless  they  met  with  a  sailing  craft,  the  way  was 
clear  before  them,  and,  after  assuring  himself  the 
machinery  was  running  smoothly,  Stephen  went  on 
deck  to  talk  with  his  partner  while  he  watched  the 
progress  of  what  seemed  much  like  his  own  steamer. 

Captain  Ike  was  in  the  best  possible  spirits  as  he 
stood  at  the  wheel  in  the  tiny  pilot-house  directing 


74  Lobster  Catchers. 

the  Sprite  s  course.  He  was  whistling  the  air  of 
"Money  Musk"  when  the  lad  appeared;  but 
ceased  his  tuneful  occupation  to  say — 

"  This  is  what  you  might  call  a  great  day  for  us, 
partner.  I  ain't  allowin' -that  steam  is  better  than 
canvas  except  when  a  man  is  out  on  such  business 
as  ours,  an'  then  it  can't  be  beat.  No  danger  of 
bein'  becalmed  when  there  's  a  full  fare  aboard 
that  's  likely  to  spoil  in  case  of  delay." 

"We  've  had  great  luck!"  Stephen  replied 
cheerily. 

"  I  don't  give  it  any  such  name,  lad.  There  ain't 
a  shadow  of  what  you  might  call  '  luck  '  in  this 
world." 

"  That  's  what  it  seems  like,  when  I  realize  that 
we  have  the  use  of  this  steamer  until  spring,  and 
money  enough  aboard  to  carry  on  the  business  in 
proper  shape.  Why,  only  three  days  ago  it  did  n't 
seem  possible  I  could  so  much  as  get  a  new  dory!  " 

"  All  the  same,  it  ain't  '  luck,'  'cause  there  's  no 
sich  thing.  You  made  the  trade  with  Captain  Skill- 
in's  on  account  of  his  knowin'  you  for  a  well- 
meanin',  honest  lad.  S'posen  you  'd  been  in  the 
habit  of  loafin'  round  Dyer  &  Jose's  store,  or 
thought  more  of  havin'  a  good  time  than  you  did 
of  lookin'  after  the  family, — do  you  allow  it  might 
have  been  an  easy  matter  to  get  an  outfit  like  this 
on  the  strength  of  what  you  believed  could  be  done  ? 


The  First  Cruise.  •       75 

The  owner  of  this  'ere  steamer  ain't  the  kind  of  a 
man  to  throw  away  good  money  on  chances,  sich  as 
would  be  the  case  if  he  was  dependin'  on  luck. 
Every  boy  ought  'er  remember  that  he  's  makin'  a 
reputation  for  himself  from  the  time  he  's  old 
enough  to  do  a  day's  work,  an'  it  '11  cling  to  him, 
for  better  or  worse,  more  years  than  we  spent  in  the 
gainin'  of  it." 

"  I  won't  speak  again  of  such  a  thing  as  luck, 
Captain  Ike,"  Stephen  said  laughingly.  "  We  '11 
call  it  good  fortune;  for  surely  there  's  something 
out  of  the  ordinary  when  we  can  start  in  on  a  scheme 
in  this  shape.  What  time  do  you  count  on  our 
coming  to  an  anchorage  ?  " 

"  If  your  engine  does  its  work  as  it  used  to,  we  '11 
be  off  Ben  Willis's  shanty  about  the  time  the 
sun  sets.  Say,  can't  you  overhaul  the  provisions, 
an'  give  me  a  bite  of  somethin'  ?  It  's  a  long  time 
since  breakfast,  an'  I  'm  gettin'  sharkish." 

"  There  's  no  show  of  being  able  to  make  tea  or 
coffee." 

I  was  n't  countin'  on  luxuries,  lad.  Pass  me 
out  six  square  inches  of  anythin',  from  salt  fish  to 
corn-bread,  an'  I  '11  see  that  it  's  put  in  the  proper 
place." 

Stephen  went  below,  and  after  making  certain  the 
fire  was  burning  brightly  and  the  machinery  run- 
ning smoothly,  did  as  the  old  fisherman  desired. 


y6  Lobster  Catchers. 

It  was  not  prudent  for  the  engineer  to  spend  very 
much  time  on  deck  while  the  steamer  was  under  way, 
and  therefore,  when  Captain  Ike's  hunger  had  been 
appeased,  the  lad  returned  below,  watching  the  fire 
and  engine  at  the  same  time  he  put  to  rights  that  por- 
tion of  the  cabin  set  apart  as  kitchen  and  forecastle. 

Probably  Stephen's  imagination  played  him  a 
trick ;  but  it  certainly  seemed  to  him  as  if  the  Sprite 
had  never  before  run  so  swiftly  or  smoothly.  She 
appeared  to  leap  from  one  wave  to  another  as  if  re- 
joicing at  being  free  once  more,  and  surely  it  was  a 
fact  that  the  lad  had  seldom  seen  the  machinery 
move  so  regularly. 

The  little  steamer's  engine  was  old,  and  had  been 
subjected  to  some  hard  usage,  therefore  it  was  not 
an  unusual  experience  for  the  engineer  to  be  called 
upon  to  plug  a  leaking  tube,  or  "  take  up  "  here 
and  there  while  the  Sprite  was  at  sea. 

On  this  afternoon,  however,  everything  worked 
as  it  should,  and  Stephen  set  it  down  as  a  fact  that 
he  was  "  lucky,"  when  Captain  Ike  would  have  in- 
sisted that  all  this  was  the  result  of  careful  work 
before  the  cruise  began. 

The  lad  found  so  much  to  do  that,  for  the  mo- 
ment, he  forgot  everything  save  what  was  directly 
under  his  eyes,  and  a  shrill  whistling  through  the 
tube  leading  from  the  pilot-house  caused  him  to 
start  in  something  very  like  alarm. 


The  First  Cruise.  yj 

Then,  with  a  hearty  laugh  because  of  his  own 
nervousness,  he  cried  into  the  mouthpiece  of  the 
tube: 

"Ahoy!     What 'sup?" 

Get  on  deck  lively,  lad!     I  'm  thinkin'  this  'ere 
craft  is  in  distress!  " 

There  was  no  necessity  for  a  second  summons. 
Stephen  hesitated  only  so  long  as  was  necessary  to 
assure  himself  that  the  engine  and  the  furnace  could 
safely  be  left  during  a  few  moments,  and  then  ran 
on  deck  to  the  pilot-house,  looking  hastily  here  and 
there,  but  without  discovering  a  single  object  which 
should  have  caused  such  a  statement  from  the 
helmsman. 

"  I  don't  see  anything  that  looks  wrong,  Captain 
Ike,"  he  said  in  perplexity. 

"  I  reckon  you  '11  need  the  glass,"  and  the  fisher- 
man handed  over  the  ledge  of  the  pilot-house  window 
an  old-fashioned  spy-glass,  which  very  likely  had 
been  considered  out  of  date  when  the  Elleji  Maria 
was  launched. 

"  Look  over  there,  about  five  points  off  the 
weather  bow." 

Stephen  adjusted  the  glass  after  some  difficulty, 
and  then  the  lenses  brought  into  view  what  appeared 
to  be  a  small  steam  yacht  wallowing  in  the  trough 
of  the  sea,  with  a  tiny  speck  of  color  waving  some 
distance  below  the  masthead. 


78  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  She  seems  to  be  showing  a  signal  of  distress," 
the  lad  said,  half  to  himself. 

"  Aye,  and  it  may  be  needed,  so  to  speak,  while 
she  's  knockin'  about  there  with  no  steerage-way 
on.  The  chances  are  that  the  machinery  is  crippled, 
an'  there  ain't  so  much  as  a  rag  of  canvas  aboard. 
Them  fair-weather  sailors  who  loaf  around  in  play- 
thin's,  such  as  I  take  yonder  craft  to  be,  lose  their 
heads  the  minute  matters  go  wrong." 

They  're  needing  help;  that  much  is  certain. 
Why  don't  you  pull  around  for  them  ?  " 

"  It  's  clean  out  of  our  course,  lad,  an'  we  'd  have 
to  give  over  the  idee  of  anchorin'  in  Seal  Harbor 
this  night,  if  we  ran  down  to  her." 

"  You  don't  count  on  leaving  a  vessel  in  distress, 
Captain  Ike  ?  "  Stephen  exclaimed  in  astonishment. 

"  She  's  in  the  track  of  all  the  craft  comin'  east- 
ward, an'  it  can't  be  long  before  somethin'  heaves 
in  sight  that  '11  lend  a  hand,"  the  old  man  replied 
quietly,  but  without  changing  his  course  by  so  much 
as  a  point. 

"  It  may  be  morning  before  either  vessel  or 
steamer  sights  her,  and  the  wind  is  growing  stronger 
every  minute." 

"  I  don't  reckon  it  '11  kick  up  bobbery  enough  to 
harm  her  much,  an'  we  've  got  our  own  business  to 
think  of.  The  Sprite  ain't  a  pleasure  craft  that  can 
run  here  and  there  without  heed  to  the  fuel  that  may 


The  First  Cruise.  79 

be  burnt.  We  're  out  to  make  a  dollar  buyin'  lob- 
sters, an'  it  would  n't  be  a  good  beginnin'  to  waste 
half  a  ton  of  coal  or  more  pokin'  our  noses  into 
what  don't  really  concern  us,  seein'  's  them  fresh- 
water sailors  will  be  picked  up  before  many 
hours." 

"  I  'd  rather  give  up  the  lobster  business,  even 
before  we  've  really  begun  it,  than  run  away  from 
a  craft  in  distress!  "  Stephen  cried  vehemently. 

That  's  all  very  well  to  say,  lad.  But  do  you 
count  Captain  Skillin's  is  willin'  to  share  half  of  the 
expense,  when  there  may  be  nothin'  serious  the 
matter  with  yonder  cockle-shell  ?  " 

"It  is  n't  for  us  to  take  into  account  what  he 
may  think  about  it  so  long  as  people  are  in  danger! 
We  must  find  out  why  they  are  flying  a  signal  of 
distress!  " 

"  I  allowed  you  to  be  the  skipper  of  this  'ere 
steamer,  an'  if  you  give  the  word,  there  's  nothin' 
for  the  helmsman  to  do  but  pull  for  her,"  Captain 
Ike  said  placidly,  as  he  gave  the  wheel  half  a  turn, 
the  little  craft  coming  swiftly  around  until  her  bow 
was  headed  directly  for  the  laboring  craft  with  the 
ominous  fleck  of  color  in  her  scanty  rigging. 

"  You  know  that  I  don't  claim  to  be  in  command 
of  the  Sprite  ;  but  it  is  simply  our  duty  to  run  down 
there,"  Stephen  said,  half-apologetically,  for  it  was 
not  pleasing  to  have  so  much  responsibility  suddenly 


80  Lobster  Catchers. 

thrust  upon  him.  "  I  can't  really  believe  you  would 
be  willing  to  leave  that  yacht " 

"  We  shall  be  burnin'  jest  so  much  more  coal, 
which  must  be  accounted  for  when  we  get  back," 
the  old  man  replied  quietly,  taking  up  the  spy-glass 
once  more. 

It  was  high  time  Stephen  gave  the  engine  some 
attention,  and  without  further  word  he  went  below, 
believing  it  was  their  duty  to  speak  the  steamer  in 
distress,  but  yet  asking  himself  if  by  so  doing  he 
was  acting  contrary  to  Captain  Skillings's  ideas  ? 

He  sprinkled  the  fire  with  coal,  to  insure  its  burn- 
ing brightly,  made  certain  the  steam  was  at  the 
requisite  height,  tried  the  water-cocks,  and  then 
went  on  deck  again. 

Captain  Ike  was  no  longer  using  the  glass;  but 
stood  at  the  wheel  unconcernedly,  as  if  it  was  no 
business  of  his  whether  the  Sprite  cruised  around  at 
sea  all  night,  or  was  heading  for  a  secure  anchorage 
where  a  cargo  of  lobsters  might  be  purchased. 

"  Did  you  ever  stand  off  from  a  craft  in  distress, 
Captain  Ike  ?  "  he  asked,  almost  timidly,  after  a 
long  pause. 

"  No,  lad,  an'  that  's  a  fact,"  was  the  prompt 
reply.  "  But  then,  you  see,  I  never  sailed  a  steamer 
before,  when  it  costs  a  pretty  penny  to  go  forty 
miles  or  more  out  of  the  course.  Howsomever,  I 
ain't  sayin'  one  word  agin'  this  business;  it  's  your 


The  First  Cruise.  81 

plan  from  the  start,  an'  whatever  you  say  I  '11  agree 
is  right." 

"  We  ought  to  be  able  to  get  into  Seal  Harbor  by 
sunrise  ?  " 

"  That  's  owin'  to  what  may  be  the  trouble  with 
yonder  playthin'.  If  it  so  be  she  's  helpless,  as 
looks  the  case,  we  can't  leave  her  after  once  comin' 
alongside,  an'  the  job  of  towin'  her  into  port  ain't 
likely  to  be  a  payin'  one  for  lobster  buyers.  Then 
agin',  I  question  if  we  've  got  a  hawser  that  would 
stand  the  strain  while  the  sea  is  runnin'  so  high." 

Stephen  had  not  looked  at  the  matter  in  this 
light,  and  once  more  he  went  below  as  the  readiest 
method  of  bringing  the  conversation  to  a  close. 

The  lad  felt  certain  he  was  doing  the  proper  thing 
to  lend  aid  in  such  a  case,  and  yet  the  fact  that  he 
was  incurring  what  seemed  like  a  very  large  expense 
weighed  heavily  upon  him. 

He  turned  the  matter  over  and  over  in  his  mind, 
taking  good  care  meanwhile  that  the  full  weight  of 
steam  was  kept  up,  and  then,  when,  perhaps,  half 
an  hour  had  been  thus  spent,  Captain  Ike  summoned 
him  by  means  of  the  speaking-tube. 

"  You  can  come  prety  nigh  tellin'  what  's  the 
trouble  with  her  now,"  the  old  man  said  when 
Stephen  was  at  the  pilot-house  window,  and,  taking 
the  proferred  glass,  the  lad  gazed  once  more  at  the 
helpless  craft. 

6 


82  Lobster  Catchers. 

She  was  no  more  than  five  miles  distant  by  this 
time,  and  could  be  clearly  made  out  by  aid  of  the 
lenses. 

A  steam  pleasure  yacht,  about  forty  feet  in  length, 
making  a  brave  display  of  white  paint  and  gilding, 
but  being  tossed  here  and  there  by  the  crested 
waves  until  it  seemed  as  if  she  must  be  thrown  on 
her  beam  ends.  Now  and  then  the  water  made  a 
clean  sweep  fore  and  aft,  and  the  fragments  of 
timbers  swaying  to  and  fro  at  the  brass  davits  amid- 
ships, told  that  her  port  boat  had  been  stove. 

Stephen  believed  he  could  see  a  human  figure  in 
the  fancifully  decorated  pilot-house ;  but  the  after- 
cabin,  which  rose  four  or  five  feet  above  the  deck, 
was  tightly  closed  with  shuttered  windows. 

"  She  appears  to  have  steam  up,  an'  is  usin'  it  to 
keep  her  free  from  water, ' '  Captain  Ike  said  by  way 
of  beginning  a  conversation. 

"  Yes,  the  pumps  must  be  going." 

"  Then  the  trouble  is  with  her  propeller.  Like 
enough  the  shaft  is  broken,  or  all  the  blades  gone. 
It  's  a  case  of  towin',  my  boy,  an'  we  may  as  well 
do  what  we  can  towards  gettin'  ready  for  the  work." 

"In  an  hour  from  now  the  sea  will  be  making  a 
clean  breach  over  her,"  Stephen  muttered,  keeping 
the  glass  at  his  eye. 

"  Right  you  are,  an'  it  don't  need  a  sailor  to 
say   that   she    won't    bear    up    under    very    much 


The  First  Cruise.  83 

hammerin'.  Those  fresh-water  yachtsmen,  as  a  rule, 
think  more  of  paint  an'  brass-work  than  about  the 
strength  of  a  hull,  and  the  wonder  is  to  me  that 
more  of  such  craft  don't  go  to  the  bottom.  The 
place  for  that  bit  of  finery  is  on  a  stream  or  a  mill- 
pond,  instead  of  out  here,  thirty  miles  or  more  from 
the  mainland." 

"  The  trouble  is  with  the  screw,  else  they  could 
manage  to  keep  steerage-way  on  her,  and  we  can't 
come  alongside  any  too  soon." 

"  I  reckon  there  's  a  deal  of  truth  in  that,  my 
lad.  Now  we  've  come  so  far,  there  's  no  question 
of  savin'  coal.  Jump  it  to  her,  Stephen,  for  there  's* 
no  knowin'  when  the  cockle-shell  will  stick  her  nose 
wholly  under." 

The  young  engineer  needed  no  urging.  There 
were  lives  to  be  saved,  and  perhaps  but  a  limited 
time  in  which  to  effect  the  rescue. 

Now  he  thought  only  of  the  work  before  them, 
and  at  his  post  below  he  forced  the  Sprite  to  her 
best  speed,  while  Captain  Ike  clutched  the  spokes 
of  the  wheel,  wondering  how  it  might  be  possible 
for  them,  short-handed  as  they  were,  to  board  the 
helpless  craft. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  SIGNAL  OF  DISTRESS. 

IT  was  as  if  the  Sprite  knew  full  well  the  necessity 
for  speed, — as  if  every  portion  of  her  worked  in 
harmony  for  the  saving  of  human  life. 

Not  a  rod  heated ;  not  a  valve  refused  its  office,  as 
the  amateur  engineer  forced  the  machinery  to  its  ut- 
most power.  For,  in  his  mind,  the  loss  of  a  moment 
might  mean  the  cutting  off  in  this  world  of  more 
than  one  soul,  so  heavily  had  the  craft  showing  the 
signal  of  distress  labored  when  Stephen  last  saw  her. 

There  was  no  thought  to  save  a  dollar  more  or 
less  through  the  consumption  of  coal,  by  either  the 
boy  at  the  engine  or  the  helmsman.  Both  realized 
equally  well  that  this  was  a  race  for  life,  and  as  they 
bore  their  parts,  so  would  be  the  result. 

The  boiler  of  the  Sprite  had  been  licensed  by  the 
Government  inspectors  to  carry  eighty  pounds  of 
steam,  and  yet  Stephen  Jordan  gave  no  heed  as  the 
faithful  monitor  in  the  glass  showed  successively 
eighty-five,  ninety,  and  even  a  hundred  pounds' 
pressure,  for  he  was  forcing  the  little  steamer  on 
with  the  hope  of  saving  those  whose  folly  had  led 
them  into  direst  danger. 

84 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  85 

Through  the  tube  came  the  words: 

Drive  her  for  all  you  're  worth,  lad.  The 
cockle-shell  is  laborin'  heavily,  an'  I  question  if 
she  '11  go  into  the  trough  of  the  sea  many  times  an' 
come  up  in  proper  shape." 

"  I  'm  doing  the  best  I  can,  Captain  Ike,  and 
have  got  on  more  steam  now  than  Captain  Skillings 
would  think  prudent." 

"  Never  mind  what  Captain  Skillin's  thinks! 
It  's  a  question  of  our  gettin'  a  tow-line  to  the  toy 
before  she  goes  to  pieces!  " 

There  was  a  grim  look  on  Stephen's  face  as  he 
heard  these  words. 

Scarcely  half  an  hour  before,  Captain  Ike  had 
questioned  whether  they  were  warranted  in  burning 
an  extra  half-ton  of  coal  in  order  to  learn  why  the 
signal  of  distress  had  been  raised,  and  now  he  coolly 
put  aside,  as  being  of  no  value,  the  opinion  of  the 
man  who  owned  the  steamer  which  they  were  send- 
ing forward  at  her  best  pace,  and  who  must,  if  their 
business  arrangements  were  carried  out  as  had  been 
made,  pay  his  share  of  this  extra  expense  in  the 
matter  of  fuel. 

There  was  no  time  now  for  Stephen  to  go  on  deck 
in  order  to  see  how  this  race  against  death  was 
progressing. 

He  could  not  take  the  chances  of  leaving  the 
furnace  or  the  engine  to  do  their  work  unheeded, 


86  Lobster  Catchers. 

lest  by  some  unforeseen  accident  they  should  be 
disabled. 

The  most  careful  watch  and  the  closest  attention 
was  needed  in  order  to  send  the  little  steamer  on  in 
her  errand  of  mercy,  and  a  neglect  of  ten  seconds 
might  be  the  price  of  a  life. 

How  are  we  doing  ?  "  Stephen  called  through 
the  speaking-tube. 

"  Bravely,  lad,  bravely.  The  yacht  's  a  little 
more  than  half  a  mile  away.  We  've  come  in  time, 
though  how  it  will  be  possible  to  give  her  a  line  is 
more  than  I  can  say.  When  next  I  ring  the  bell, 
slow  down  a  little  an'  come  on  deck,  for  there  's 
needin'  to  be  some  agreement  between  us  before  we 
can  carry  out  the  work  of  life-savin'  that  has  n't 
been  begun  any  too  soon." 

Perhaps  this  was  not  the  time  when  Stephen 
should  have  reminded  his  partner  that  they  ought 
to  hesitate  about  doing  this  deed  because  of  the 
consumption  of  coal ;  but  nevertheless  he  could  not 
resist  the  temptation  to  ask  through  the  tube : 

Have  you  come  to  believe,  Captain  Ike,  that  we 
are  warranted  in  burning  an  extra  half-ton  of  coal  in 
order  to  learn  why  that  signal  of  distress  is  flying  ?  " 

"  You  've  got  me  on  the  hip,  lad.  I  was  wrong 
when  I  counted  the  cost;  for,  accordin'  to  all  ap- 
pearances, yonder  toy  will  be  stove  in  in  less  than 
an  hour,  if  she  ain't  brought  up  into  the  wind,  an' 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  87 

we  're  the  only  ones  hereabouts  who  can  do  the 
work.  Jump  it  to  her  five  minutes  more,  an'  then 
I  allow  will  come  the  time  when  we  've  got  some 
mighty  pretty  figgerin'  to  do." 

Stephen  "  jumped  it  to  her  "  ;  that  is  to  say,  he 
sent  the  draught  into  the  furnace  in  order  to  fan  the 
fire';  and  otherwise  did  all  that  was  possible  to  race 
the  steamer,  regardless  of  what  pressure  the  boiler 
might  be  capable  of  sustaining. 

There  was  in  his  mind,  as  in  Captain  Ike's,  no 
thought  of  danger  to  himself;  but  only  the  great, 
overwhelming  desire,  to  aid  those  who  had  raised 
the  signal  of  distress. 

Then  came  the  jingling  of  the  bell,  and  the  young 
engineer  knew  the  Sprite  was  so  near  the  laboring 
craft  that  the  real  work  of  life-saving  was  to  be 
begun. 

He  "  slowed  down  "  the  machinery  until  it  was 
moving  at  half-speed ;  gave  one  glance  at  the  fire  to 
assure  himself  the  heat  would  not  decrease  ma- 
terially, and  then  ran  on  deck. 

The  Sprite  was  within  less  than  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  of  the  yacht,  which  would  have  made  a  brave 
show  in  smooth  water,  but  now  had  much  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  snow-white  gull  that  has  been  wounded 
by  the  hunter's  rifle. 

"  There  she  is,  lad,"  Captain  Ike  said,  as  Stephen 
made   his  way    to  the  window  of  the  pilot-house. 


88  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Just  under  the  forward  deck  is  the  heaviest  cable 
we  've  got ;  an'  as  near  as  I  can  make  out  there  are 
not  less  than  half  a  dozen  souls  aboard  that  egg- 
shell fabric." 

"  How  can  we  take  them  off  ?  "  And  now  that 
he  had  arrived  at  the  point  where  the  real  work 
should  begin,  the  lad  looked  to  the  old  fisherman 
for  instructions. 

"  Accordin'  to  my  way  of  thinkin',  there  ain't 
one  chance  in  a  hundred  we  could  lay  alongside  as 
many  seconds  as  would  be  required  to  take  them 
aboard.  If  that  'ere  lot  of  passengers  an'  crew  are 
to  be  saved,  we  must  do  it  by  pullin'  the  craft  into 
a  harbor,  pervidin'  the  Sprite  s  engines  will  stand 
the  strain.  An'  it  won't  be  any  mean  piece  of 
work,  lad,  to  tow  her  against  a  head  wind  and  sea." 

"  Why  can't  we  run  alongside  near  enough  for 
them  to  jump  on  board  ?  " 

"  The  chances  are  ten  to  one  we  should  be 
knocked  together,  an'  both  steamers  wrecked.  You 
know  what  can  be  done  below,  an'  if — ■ —  " 

Unless  something  happens,  we  shall  be  able  to 
pull  her  to  an  anchorage,  although  it  will  take  the 
best  part  of  all  the  fuel  we  've  got  aboard." 

"  We  've  given  over  countin'  the  cost  of  coal, 
lad.  If  you  say  your  engine  can  stand  the  strain, 
we  '11  try  it.  How  long  are  you  willin'  to  stay  on 
deck  without  goin'  below  ?  " 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  89 

"  Ten  minutes,  shut  down  as  we  are." 

"  Then  slow  up  a  bit  more,  an'  leave  the  engine 
so  you  can  give  me  a  full  quarter  of  an  hour.  I  'm 
countin'  to  run  up  to  windward  an'  drift  down. 
While  you  're  lookin'  out  for  things  at  your  end  of 
the  ship,  I  '11  reeve  on  the  heavin'  line,  an'  if  them 
as  are  aboard  the  toy  know  what  danger  they  're  in, 
I  reckon  we  '11  get  the  hawser  made  fast  to  'em." 

Stephen  did  as  he  was  bidden.  The  steam  was 
shut  off  until  the  Sprite  had  a  trifle  more  than 
steerage-way  on,  and,  throwing  into  the  furnace  a 
shovelful  of  coal,  in  order  that  the  heat  might  be 
slightly  deadened,  Stephen  went  on  deck. 

By  this  time  the  Sprite  had  ranged  ahead  of  the 
craft  in  distress,  until  the  lad  had  a  full  view  of  her 
wave-swept  decks,  and  for  the  first  moment,  per- 
haps, he  fully  realized  the  danger  which  menaced  her. 

He  could  read  on  the  pilot-house,  and  upon  the 
rail  aft,  the  word  Vera,  and  now  and  then  see  pallid 
faces  pressed  against  the  windows  of  the  cabin,  tell- 
ing most  eloquently  of  the  fear  which  had  taken 
possession  of  those  on  board. 

Captain  Ike  had  left  the  wheel  sufficiently  long  to 
bend  on  to  the  hawser  a  long  length  of  line,  and  was 
back  again  at  his  post  in  time  to  swing  the  little 
steamer  around. 

The  Sprite  struggled  and  plunged  into  the  chasms 
formed  by  the  waves  until  it  seemed  positive  she 


90  Lobster  Catchers. 

«• 

must  be  engulfed ;  but,  answering  to  that  force  at 
the  stern  which  was  exerted  by  the  steam,  she  came 
around  obedient  to  the  helm,  riding  buoyantly  at 
last,  forging  forward  ever  so  slightly,  and  sweeping 
down  upon  the  helpless  craft  in  such  manner  as 
might,  should  all  the  precautions  avail,  carry  her 
directly  past  the  bow. 

"  Stand  by  with  that  heavin'  line!  "  Captain  Ike 
shouted.  And  now  he  was  neither  the  partner  nor 
the  friend,  but  captain  of  the  lobster-smack,  turned 
life  saver.  "  When  you  believe  there  's  a  chance  of 
makin'  the  rope  carry,  throw  for  your  life,  lad,  an' 
see  that  you  don't  miss  your  aim." 

At  least  two  of  those  on  board  the  Vera  under- 
stood the  meaning  of  this  manoeuvre,  as  could  be 
seen  by  the  fact  that  they  were  standing  at  the  port 
rail  forward,  ready  to  assist  those  who  would  save 
them. 

Slowly  the  Sprite  fought  her  way  through  the 
heaving  waters,  at  the  same  time  being  forced  down 
upon  the  pleasure  yacht,  but  moving  ahead  so  much 
as  showed  that  she  would  clear  the  other  craft ;  and 
then  had  come  the  moment  when  the  trial  was  to  be 
made. 

"  Give  them  that  line,  Steve;  an'  remember  that 
if  you  miss,  it  will  be  a  full  half-hour  before  we  can 
try  it  again!"  the  old  fisherman  shouted;  and, 
dividing  the  coils  of  heaving  rope  into  two  parts, 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  91 

the  lad  braced  himself  for  the  effort,  which  might 
mean  the  saving  or  the  loss  of  the  lives  of  those 
who  were  in  such  dire  peril. 

"  Now,  give  it  to  'em!  "  Captain  Ike  shouted  as, 
Stephen  hesitated,  and  through  the  misty  air,  borne 
by  the  strong  wind,  went  fake  after  fake  of  the 
heaving  line  in  coils  that  seemed  as  if  moved  by 
life,  until  full  five  fathoms  fell  across  the  Vera  s  fore- 
deck,  to  be  seized  upon  by  those  in  waiting  as 
drowning  men  catch  at  a  straw. 

Good  for  you,  lad!  That  was  a  noble  throw, 
and  whether  we  make  our  fortunes  at  lobster  catchin' 
or  not,  you  have  somethin'  to  be  proud  of!  Now, 
get  below!  Shut  off  your  steam,  an'  then  stand 
ready  to  back  her!  I  'm  countin'  on  lettin'  the 
wind  swing  us  around  till  we  've  given  them  our 
stern  until  after  the  hawser  is  made  fast,  if  please 
God  it  can  be!  " 

In  a  twinkling,  Stephen  stood  before  the  slowly 
moving  engine,  his  hand  on  the  lever  waiting  for 
the  signal,  and  his  eye  running  here  and  there  to 
detect  any  sign  of  weakness  when  strength  was  so 
sorely  needed. 

One  stroke  of  the  gong. 

The  engine  was  reversed  :  the  Sprite  pausing 
almost  motionless  on  the  crest  of  the  wave  until 
the  screw  had  taken  hold  upon  the  water,  and  was 
forcing  her  back  against  the  power  of  the  wind. 


92  Lobster  Catchers. 

Overhead  the  lad  could  hear  Captain  Ike  running 
to  and  fro,  and  he  understood  that  the  old  man  was 
paying  out  on  the  hawser  as  those  aboard  the  Vera 
pulled  it  toward  them ;  but  he  dared  not  leave  his 
post,  lest  peradventure  a  sudden  veering  of  the 
breeze  should  require  quick  work  with  the  machin- 
ery. 

Then  he  heard  the  old  man  cry  out : 

"  Make  fast  there,  forward,  an'  if  it  so  be  you  can't 
send  us  another  hawser,  we  '11  have  to  take  the 
chances  of  this  holdin' ;  but  in  my  opinion,  it  ain't 
to  be  depended  on." 

Stephen  failed  to  hear  the  reply,  but,  running  to 
the  companion-way,  he  asked  eagerly : 

"  Can  they  give  us  another  line,  Captain  Ike  ?  " 

"  Ay,  so  they  say,  though  I  'm  not  thinkin'  such 
as  they  've  got  aboard  a  craft  like  that  will  be  of 
any  great  service.  If  you  can  send  us  astern  a  trifle 
more,  standin'  ready  to  go  ahead  quick  in  case  we 
come  too  near,  we  '11  take  the  chance  of  bringin'  it 
on  deck." 

"  I  '11  do  my  share  of  the  work.  Move  lively,  for 
we  may  not  have  another  opportunity  to  come  as 
near  alongside." 

"  Right  you  are,  lad.  Send  her  back  at  half- 
speed  until  I  give  the  word,  an'  then  jump  her 
ahead!  " 

Stephen  obeyed  the  order,   and  when  from  the 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  93 

deck  was  shouted  :  ' '  Ahead,  full  speed  !  Stop  her ! ' ' 
he  followed  the  instructions  as  rapidly  as  they  had 
been  given,  and  on  next  looking  out  through  the 
companion-way  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  a 
new  manila  rope  stretched  side  by  side  with  the 
old  cable  that  had  been  sent  from  the  Sprite's 
deck. 

Taking  the  two  as  one  hawser,  it  was  not  over 
strong,  and  yet,  under  the  circumstances,  it  seemed 
little  less  than  wonderful  that  it  was  in  place ;  and  a 
cheer  went  up  from  the  two  bedraggled  seamen  on 
the  deck  of  the  Vera  at  the  same  time  that  Stephen 
fancied  he  heard  a  cry  of  rejoicing  from  those  who 
were  shut  up  in  the  cabin. 

"  Now  the  fight  begins,"  Captain  Ike  said, 
grimly,  as  he  made  his  way  to  the  wheel-house,  his 
partner  following  for  the  moment.  "  It 's  a  case  of 
settin'  our  teeth  together  an'  pullin'  for  all  we  're 
worth,  lad,  rememberin'  at  the  same  time  that  this 
'ere  craft  ain't  built  for  towin'.  You  '11  have  to 
stand  by  to  ease  her  up  now  an'  then  if  the  breeze 
freshens,  an'  I  reckon  when  we  've  hauled  yonder 
toy  into  the  nearest  anchorage,  which,  accordin'  to 
my  figgerin',  is  Seal  Harbor,  we  '11  have  done  such 
a  job  as  lobster  buyers  can  well  be  proud  of,  for  the 
worst  of  the  work  is  yet  before  us." 

Realizing  that  his  place  was  below,  rather  than  on 
deck,  Stephen  turned  quickly,  and  as  he  did  so  saw 


94  Lobster  Catchers. 

the  jaunty  little  yacht  which  had  been  so  near  de- 
struction come  around  head  to  the  wind. 

The  hawsers  stiffened  until  the  small  bitt  aft,  to 
which  they  had  been  attached,  groaned  and  creaked 
in  protest  against  the  strain,  and  he  asked  himself 
with  an  inward  fear  if  it  were  possible  that  these 
timbers,  which  had  been  put  in  place  simply  for  the 
purpose  of  mooring  the  Sprite,  would  hold  for  the 
heavy  towing  yet  to  be  done. 

"  Put  her  ahead  strong!"  Captain  Ike  shouted, 
and  Stephen  leaped  into  the  engine-room. 

It  was  useless  now  for  him  to  watch  that  straining 
cable,  or  the  groaning  timbers  to  which  it  was 
attached. 

If  both  held,  his  was  the  task  to  keep  the  Sprite 
steadily  on  her  course,  and  upon  him  rested  the 
safety  of  those  whose  lives  had  been  in  such  great 
peril. 

Giving  the  noiseless  yet  swiftly  moving  machinery 
yet  another  notch  of  liberty,  he  raked  his  fire  as 
carefully  as  if  engaged  in  some  work  of  art ;  tested 
the  water  -  cocks  once  more,  made  certain  the 
steamer's  guage  registered  faithfully,  and  then, 
mentally  nerving  himself  for  the  night  of  labor 
which  must  ensue  in  this  task  of  life-saving,  watched 
every  piston  and  crank,  not  daring  to  look  out  at 
that  which  was  dragging  with  such  heavy  weight 
against  the  progress  of  the  Sprite. 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  95 

"  How  are  you  gettin'  on  down  there  ?  "  Captain 
Ike  shouted  through  the  speaking  -  tube  ;  and 
Stephen  replied  in  a  tone  of  hopefulness: 

"  Everything  goes  well  here;  but  how  about  the 
yacht  ?  " 

"  She  is  comin'  along,  an'  with  less  trouble  than 
I  expected,  although  it  seems  now  an'  then  as  if  the 
timbers  of  the  Sprite  would  be  pulled  apart." 

So  much  Stephen  already  knew.  He  could  feel 
the  straining  and  tugging  of  the  little  steamer  as  the 
heavy  weight  astern  settled  back  with  a  thud  that 
caused  the  hawsers  to  crack  like  the  report  of  a 
pistol,  and  was  sensible  of  the  fact  that  the  Sprite 
quivered  in  every  timber  when  thus  suddenly 
checked. 

After  perhaps  fifteen  minutes  had  passed,  and 
everything  in  his  portion  of  the  vessel  was  working 
as  it  should,  Stephen  ran  on  deck  to  speak  with  the 
old  fisherman,  for  he  was  needing  encouragement; 
but  the  lad  regretted  having  left  his  post  when  he 
could  see  plainly  the  task  which  they  had  set  them- 
selves. 

The  wind  had  increased  in  force,  piling  green 
waves  one  upon  another  until  it  was  as  if  mountains 
of  water  followed  them. 

Astern,  and  so  dangerously  near  that  it  seemed  as 
if  with  each  succeeding  foamy  crest  the  Vera  must 
be  driven  directly  into  the  stern  of  the  Sprite,  was 


96  Lobster  Catchers. 

the  bedraggled  yacht,  looking  as  forlorn  as  a 
wounded  sea-bird,  and  tugging,  straining,  and  yaw- 
ing at  the  cables,  as  if  bent  on  parting  company  in 
order  that  she  might  end  the  apparently  fruitless 
struggle  by  going  to  the  bottom. 

The  Sprite  plunged  into  the  foaming  billows, 
thrown  back  by  them,  and  pulled  astern  by  the 
inert  mass  which  she  was  trying  to  drag  to  a  place 
of  safety.  Buffeted  by  the  winds  and  by  the  waters, 
and  impeded  in  the  fight  by  the  heavy  weight,  it 
seemed  as  if  the  little  craft  struggled  hopelessly ;  as 
if  her  own  ruin  would  be  compassed  in  this  effort  to 
save. 

"  We  are  making  heavy  weather  of  it,"  Stephen 
said,  as  he  came  to  the  pilot-house  window,  and 
there  was  a  certain  quaver  in  his  voice,  despite  every 
effort  to  speak  cheerily. 

"  Ay,  lad,  heavy  weather.  But  I  'm  thinkin'  the 
worst  of  the  wind  is  over,  an'  if  we  hold  on  to  that 
toy  half  an  hour  longer,  we  '11  pull  through.  It  's  a 
case  of  salvage,  accordin'  to  my  way  of  thinkin',  an' 
perhaps  we  have  n't  wasted  the  coal,  after  all.  It 
may  be  there  's  more  in  this  job  than  the  buyin'  of 
a  cargo  of  lobsters." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Captain  Ike  ?  " 

"We  have  picked  up  the  Vera  in  distress, 
when  she  could  n't  have  lived  till  mornin',  an 
the  law  allows  that  them  as  save  a  craft  under  such 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  97 

circumstances  are  entitled  to  a  certain  percentage 
of  what  she  's  worth.  That  yacht  cost  a  good  many 
thousand  dollars." 

"  Don't,  Captain  Ike — don't!  "  Stephen  cried,  as 
if  pained  by  the  words.  "It  's  the  lives  of  the 
people  aboard  that  we  are  saving,  and  we  won't 
think  of  how  much  may  be  made  by  it." 

"  But  that  's  what  we  shall  think  of,  lad,  once 
we  're  safe  in  port." 

"  Wait  till  we  're  there,  for  it  does  'nt  seem  now 
as  if  either  the  Vera  or  the  Sprite  would  ever  gain  a 
harbor." 

"  That  's  because  you  've  just  come  from  below. 
You  'd  get  used  to  this  muddle  after  bein'  on  deck 
half  an  hour;  an'  if  it  distresses  you  when  I  talk  of 
the  money  that  's  to  be  made  by  what  we  're  doin', 
we  '11  put  it  in  another  light,  an'  say  that  we  've 
risked  Captain  Skillin's's  property,  goin'  out  of  our 
way  to  do  it;  therefore  it  '11  be  much  to  our  advan- 
tage if  we  save  the  Vera,  although,  for  the  life  of  me, 
I  can't  see  why  we  should  n't  reckon  on  a  profit  if 
there  's  one  to  be  made,  after  takin'  all  these 
chances." 

Stephen  made  no  reply  to  this  remark. 

Although  as  well  versed  in  the  dangers  of  the  sea 
as  a  boy  living  on  the  coast  of  Maine  well  can  be,  it 
seemed  to  him  as  if  their  chances  of  reaching  a  har- 
bor, with  or  without  the  helpless  craft  in  tow,  were 
7 


98  Lobster  Catchers. 

doubtful,  and  there  came  into  his  heart  the  fear  that 
while  trying  to  save  others  they  might  themselves 
be  lost.  „ 

However,  Captain  Ike's  partner  was  not  a  lad  who 
would  allow  his  fears  to  get  the  better  of  him,  and 
he  returned  to  his  post  of  duty,  understanding  full 
well  all  that  might  be  required  of  him  before  the 
Sprite  gained  a  secure  anchorage,  or  was  engulfed  in 
the  raging  waters. 

From  this  time  on,  it  was  simply  a  battle  against 
the  elements,  with  the  little  lobster-smack  sadly 
handicapped  by  that  which  was  dragging  astern 
while  she  fought  her  way  onward  against  wind  and 
wave,  and  the  chances  of  failure  were  many  in  view 
of  the  fact  that  the  machinery,  weakened  by  long 
usage,  might  at  any  moment  break  down. 

A  failure  to  maintain  steerage-way  now  meant 
death  for  all;  and,  understanding  this  thoroughly, 
Stephen  kept  watchful  eye  upon  every  moving  piece 
of  steel,  oiling  here  and  cooling  there;  now  coaxing 
with  a  bit  more  fire,  and  again  deadening  the  blaze 
with  ashes  lest  the  steam  make  too  rapidly,  while  at 
the  wheel  the  old  fisherman  was  on  the  alert  for 
every  opportunity  to  favor  the  laboring  craft. 

Like  heroes,  these  partners,  who  had  set  forth  on 
a  commercial  enterprise,  labored  during  all  the  long 
hours  of  the  night ;  and  it  can  well  be  fancied  that 
in  the  wounded   yacht   astern  were  many  anxious 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  99 

hearts,  who,  having  no  means  of  fighting  their  own 
battle,  must  depend  upon  a  man  and  a  boy  whom 
they  had  barely,  if  ever,  seen. 

It  was  to  Stephen  as  if  this  night  contained  twice 
the  ordinary  number  of  hours,  and  when  the  dim 
light  from  the  sun  pierced  the  mist,  causing  it  to 
assume  a  grayish  hue,  thus  telling  that  a  new  day 
was  come,  he  felt  as  if  he  had  been  struggling  these 
many  days  to  win  back  to  life  those  who  had  so 
nearly  been  sent  into  the  hereafter. 

"  The  worst  of  it  is  over,  lad !  "  Captain  Ike  cried 
through  the  speaking-tube,  as  if  believing  the  young 
engineer  needed  cheering,  which  indeed  he  did. 
"  The  worst  of  it  is  over.  We  are  well  alongside 
the  whistlin'  buoy,  an'  three  miles  more  brings  us 
into  Seal  Harbor.  The  strength  of  the  wind  is 
broken.  Barrin'  accidents,  we  're  certain  to  take 
the  Vera  into  that  port,  if  no  farther,  an'  it  's  a 
good  job  well  done.      How  about  the  coal  ?  " 

I  've  used  not  less  than  a  ton  ;  the  furnace  eats 
it  like  kindling  wood." 

"  Well,  it  don't  count  so  long  as  the  bitt  stands 
firm  and  the  hawsers  hold,  although  since  sunset  last 
night  I  've  thought  many  a  time  that  the  whole  stern 
of  the  Sprite  was  givin'  way.  We  've  come  out  of 
a  nasty  mess,  an'  are  the  same  as  safe.  Whether 
it  's  been  a  payin'  job  or  not  remains  to  be  seen, 
though  I  reckon  we  don't  stand  to  lose  by  it." 


ioo  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  It  's  a  paying  job  already,  Captain  Ike,  even 
though  both  craft  go  to  the  bottom  this  minute,  for 
we  've  made  a  good  fight." 

"  Ay,  that  we  have,  lad,  an'  the  credit  of  it  be- 
longs to  you ;  for  I  'm  afearin'  that,  left  to  myself, 
I  'd  have  put  in  for  Seal  Harbor,  with  the  chance 
that  some  other  craft  would  pick  up  the  yacht. 
You  don't  happen  to  have  a  bite  of  anythin'  there 
a  man  could  eat,  do  you  ?  " 

"  There  's  plenty  here,  sir,  and  I  '11  bring  it  for- 
ward in  a  minute." 

Then  Stephen,  believing  he  might  safely  leave 
the  noiseless  engines  for  a  few  moments,  set  about 
making  ready  from  the  stores  at  hand  a  hearty  meal 
for  the  helmsman,  and  while  doing  so  satisfied  his 
own  hunger,  which,  until  this  moment,  he  had  not 
realized. 

Captain  Ike  looked  none  the  worse  for  his  long 
night  at  the  helm.  He  ate  like  one  who  has  been  de- 
prived of  food  for  many  hours,  but  never  once 
relinquished  his  hold  of  the  wheel. 

A  gray  mist,  which  so  closely  enveloped  surround- 
ing objects  that  even  the  yacht  in  tow  could  be  seen 
but  dimly,  caused  Stephen  bewilderment,  and  he 
questioned  if  the  old  fisherman  could  find  his  way 
into  Seal  Harbor. 

"  That  I  can,  lad,  even  in  the  thick  of  this 
smudge.     After  makin'  the  whistlin'  buoy,  I  know 


The  Signal  of  Distress.  101 


& 


where  I  am  as  well  as  you  would  should  some  one 
set  you  down  at  the  bars  of  the  south  pasture  on 
the  Ben  Jordan  farm.  Keep  your  engine  movin' 
half  an  hour  longer,  an'  I  '11  bring  you  to  anchor  so 
near  Ben  Willis's  shanty  that  we  can  hear  him 
whistlin'  while  he  knits  heads  for  his  lobster-pots." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  "  VERA'S  "    CAPTAIN. 

IT  required  that  one  should  have  perfect  confidence 
in  any  statement  made  by  Captain  Ike  to  believe 
implicitly  that  he  could  take  the  Sprite  and  her  tow 
into  Seal  Harbor  while  the  fog  lay  so  heavily  upon 
the  waters;  and  yet  Stephen  had  no  question  what- 
ever but  that  the  old  fisherman  would  do  exactly 
as  he  had  said. 

It  was  to  him  as  if  the  Sprite  had  already  come 
to  a  safe  anchorage ;  and  he  went  below  with  more 
of  thankfulness  in  his  heart  than  he  had  known  since 
before  his  father  died ;  for  now  he  could  say  to  him- 
self that,  whether  the  business  venture  was  a  success 
or  no,  it  had  been  the  means  of  saving  more  or  less 
of  human  life,  the  same  to  be  reckoned  by  the 
number  of  people  on  board  the  Vera. 

And  Captain  Ike  kept  his  word  to  the  letter. 

When  the  fog  was  so  dense  that  one  could  scarcely 
see  from  one  end  of  the  Sprite  to  the  other,  he  ran 
the  little  craft  with  her  following  in  through  the 
channel  marked  by  rocks,  without  so  much  as  mar- 
ring the  paint  on  either  craft,  and  came  about  with 
a  whistle  of  content  or  announcement,  whichever 


The  "  Vera's  "  Captain.  103 

may  have  been  in  his  heart,  at  the  very  spot  where 
he  had  said  they  should  arrive. 

"  Let  go  your  anchors!  "  he  shouted  to  those  on 
board  the  pleasure  yacht.  "  Let  go  your  anchors, 
for  here  is  good  holdin'  ground  with  protection 
against  whatsoever  wind  may  blow ;  and  however 
dire  your  strait,  here  is  safety." 

Stephen  said  to  himself,  as  he  heard  the  old  man's 
cry,  which  was  hardly  less  than  one  of  triumph, 
that  to  it  should  have  been  added, 

"  And  it  's  the  Sprite  and  I  that  have  brought 
you  out  from  very  death." 

For  the  first  time  since  the  signal  of  distress  had 
been  seen  did  the  young  engineer  draw  a  breath  of 
relief.  For  the  first  time  was  the  mental  strain 
lessened ;  no  longer  did  he  watch,  fearing  each  in- 
stant lest  one  of  the  other  of  those  delicate  portions 
of  the  engine  should  refuse  to  do  its  duty,  or  suc- 
cumb to  the  enormous  strain  put  upon  it;  no  longer 
did  he  fear  that  the  furnace  fires  might  eat  them- 
selves out  until  the  volume  of  steam  should  be 
lessened. 

All  was  done ! 

The  battle  had  been  fought  and  won! 

So  many  as  had  been  on  board  the  Vera  when 
that  tiny  speck  of  color  which  told  of  suffering  and 
of  desire  for  asistance  was  raised  in  the  rigging,  so 
many  had  been  saved,  and  through  the  exertions  of 


104  Lobster  Catchers. 

a  man  and  a  boy,  who,  lacking  this  world's  goods, 
had  set  their  services  against  the  capital  of  one  who 
trusted  in  them,  knowing  their  reputation. 

Had  Captain  Ike  been  brought  around  to  the 
point,  he  could  have  said,  and  without  fear  of  con- 
tradiction, that  the  reputation  Stephen  Jordan  had 
made  as  a  boy  not  only  served  him  in  good  stead 
commercially,  but  had  been  the  indirect  means  of 
saving  the  lives  of  so  many  as  made  up  the  crew  of 
the  pleasure  yacht ;  and  surely  it  is  worth  while  for 
a  lad  to  look  well  to  his  record  when  so  much  may 
depend  upon  it. 

The  splashing  of  water  told  when  the  anchors  of 
both  craft  had  been  let  go,  and,  probably  hearing 
it,  Ben  Willis  came  out  to  welcome  those  visitors, 
who  had  been  as  unexpected  as  they  were  unseen. 

"  Ahoy,  on  board!  "  he  cried;  and  Captain  Ike 
replied  cheerily,  the  change  in  his  tone  telling  how 
greatly  was  lessened  the  strain  on  his  mind : 

"  The  yacht  Sprite,  Steve  Jordan  captain,  an'  Ike 
Dyer  mate  as  well  as  crew.  Made  anchorage  with 
a  tow  picked  up  thirty  miles  or  more  outside,  an' 
needin'  assistance.  Better  come  aboard,  Ben  Willis, 
for  I  'm  allowin'  your  services  are  wanted." 

"  What  set  you  afloat,  Captain  Ike  ?  "  the  voice 
cried  from  amid  the  fog. 

"  Ben  Jordan's  son,  Stephen,  is  out  buyin'  lob- 
sters, an'  I  'm  the  bo'sun,  mate,  an'  crew  of  the 


The  "Vera's"  Captain.  105 

captain's    gig.       We   brought    in    a  pleasure   craft 
disabled." 

Stephen  drew  his  fire,  believing  their  stay  here 
might  be  a  long  one;  for  the  wind  gave  no  promise 
of  changing,  and  it  would  have  been  folly  to  run  out 
into  the  thick  of  the  smother  unless  there  should  be 
absolute  necessity  for  such  a  venture. 

It  was  while  he  was  thus  engaged  that  Ben  Willis 
came  off  from  the  shore,  and  a  boat  pulled  alongside 
from  the  Vera. 

To  the  first  visitor  Stephen  gave  no  heed,  for 
Captain  Ike  acted  the  part  of  host,  and  the  solitary 
inhabitant  of  Seal  Island  was  more  content  in  such 
companionship  than  he  would  have  been  with  the 
most  hospitable  welcome  the  lad  could  give. 

The  second  visitor,  a  sailorly-looking  young  man, 
of  not  more  than  twenty  years,  inquired,  without 
coming  aboard,  for  the  master  of  the  steamer  that 
towed  the  disabled  craft  into  port,  and  Captain  Ike 
replied : 

"  You  '11  find  him  below,  matey,  where  he  's 
playin'  at  bein'  engineer."  Stephen  Jordan  is  the 
party  you  're  lookin'  for." 

Hearing  this  question  and  reply,  the  lad  cried,  in  a 
tone  which  savored  of  resentment : 

It  's  Captain  Ike  who  commands  this  steamer; 
and  when  he  says  I  'm  the  master  he  's  making 
idle  talk." 


106  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  There  is  nothin'  idle  about  it  when  it  comes  to 
the  savin'  of  your  craft,  mister,"  the  old  fisherman 
said  seriously,  and  in  such  a  tone  as  left  no  doubt 
whatever  as  to  its  truth.  "  The  lad  an'  I  are  runnin' 
this  steamer;  I  look  upon  him  as  the  master,  an', 
even  though  he  disowns  the  office,  but  for  him  we 
would  have  left  you  in  the  lurch  last  night.  There- 
fore, I  say  again,  Stephen  Jordan  is  the  captain  of 
the  Sprite:' 

The  visitor  must  have  understood  somewhat  of 
the  situation  from  these  words,  for  without  further 
parley  he  came  aboard,  making  his  way  into  that 
apartment  aft  which  could  as  well  be  called  the 
cabin  as  the  engine-room,  and,  saluting  in  a  sailorly 
fashion,  said : 

My  captain  would  be  pleased  to  have  you  come 
on  board,  sir.  After  all  that  has  been  done — and 
we  were  nearer  to  death  than  you  can  guess — it  is 
right  you  should  at  least  be  thanked  for  the  rescue." 

"  I  need  no  thanks,  in  the  first  place,"  Stephen 
replied,  so  abashed  as  to  render  his  voice  grave. 
"  In  the  second  place,  I  'm  the  engineer,  whatever 
Captain  Ike  may  say,  an'  this  machinery  needs 
overhauling  after  last  night's  work.  Why  can't 
your  captain  come  on  board,  if  he  thinks  it  is 
necessary  ?  " 

The  captain  of  the  Vera  is  a  young  lady,  sir — 
Miss  Hamilton.     Her  father  owns  the  yacht,  and 


The  "  Vera's  "  Captain.  107 

she  sails  as  master,  with  two  engineers  and  two  men 
for  crew. 

Stephen  faced  about  suddenly,  dropping  the 
wrench  and  oil-can  as  he  repeated,  in  a  tone  of 
bewilderment : 

"  A  young  lady  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir — Miss  Hamilton,  as  I  have  said;  and 
she  begs,  if  it  be  convenient,  that  you  will  come  on 
board." 

There  was  an  odd  expression  on  Stephen's  face  as 
he  looked,  first  at  his  oil-begrimed  hands,  and  then 
at  the  well-worn  and  many-patched  garments  which 
but  a  few  moments  previous  seemed  all  that  he 
could  desire  in  his  business  as  a  buyer  of  lobsters, 
but  now  appeared  so  poor  and  mean. 

Neither  Captain  Ike  nor  I  are  in  proper  trim  to 
call  upon  a  young  lady,  especially  one  who  owns 
such  a  yacht  as  that  which  we  have  brought  in.  I 
think  it  would  be  better  if  she  left  the  thanks  out  of 
the  question,  for  the  present,  because  of  my  per- 
sonal appearance  and  the  work  that  must  be  done." 
It  would  please  her  very  much,  sir,  if  you  came 
aboard  only  for  a  moment.  After  the  accident,  she 
seems  to  have  lost  confidence  in  us,  and  I  really 
believe  it  is  necessary  she  speak  with  you." 
What  is  the  trouble  with  your  craft  ?  " 

"  We  have  lost  every  blade  of  the  screw,  or  broken 
the  shaft   off  near  the   stuffing-box  —  I   can't  say 


108  Lobster  Catchers. 

which.  When  we  got  into  the  heavy  sea,  the  pro- 
peller raced  so  badly  that  something  had  to  give 
way,  for  the  Vera  is  not  built  to  stand  such  weather 
as  we  found  outside." 

"  Where  were  you  bound  ?  " 

For  Boston,  from  Bar  Harbor;  and  when  you 
bore  down  upon  us  we  were  taking  in  water  faster 
than  the  steam  pump  could  throw  it  out.  An  hour 
later  and  the  yacht  would  have  foundered." 

"  Then  it  's  lucky  we  hove  in  sight  just  as  we 
did." 

"  It  was  God's  mercy,  sir,"  the  young  man  re- 
plied, gravely ;  and  for  the  second  time  Stephen 
resolved  that  he  would  never  again  use  the  word 
"  luck." 

"  We  had  a  hard  pull  to  get  in  here,"  he  said,  at 
a  loss  for  other  words ;  and  the  visitor,  bent  upon 
carrying  out  the  commands  of  his  captain,  replied 
briefly : 

"  We  had,  indeed,  sir,"  and  added,  "  Will  you 
come  aboard  with  me  ?  " 

"  I— I— Well,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  'm  not  in  fit 
condition  to  meet  such  a  young  lady  as  must  be  the 
owner  of  the  yacht." 

"  You  are  the  one  who  has  saved  her  life,  sir,  and 
I  do  not  think  oily  hands  or  a  soot-begrimed  face 
counts  in  such  a  case." 

"  Well,  I  reckon  my  face  must  be  in  pretty  bad 


The  "  Vera's  "  Captain.  109 

shape,  seeing  I  have  n't  washed  it  since  yesterday 
morning;  but  even  if  it  were  clean,  I  'd  rather  not 
go." 

To  this  the  visitor  made  no  reply ;  but  he  stood 
in  the  companion-way  expectantly,  until  it  seemed 
to  Stephen  that  he  had  no  choice  in  the  matter,  and, 
muttering  something  which  was  not  complimentary 
to  Captain  Ike's  chivalry,  the  young  engineer  did  as 
he  was  requested. 

That  is  to  say,  he  followed  the  visitor  over  the 
rail  into  a  tender  fashioned  of  cedar  and  embel- 
lished with  carving  and  ornaments  of  brass,  feeling 
decidedly  out  of  place  in  such  a  fairylike  craft,  and 
wondering  whether  it  would  be  possible  to  carry 
himself  properly  once  on  board  such  a  yacht  as  he 
could  fancy  the  Vera  must  be. 

If  Stephen  Jordan  had  been  abashed  while  only 
so  much  as  thinking  of  going  on  board  the  yacht, 
he  was  thoroughly  confused  when,  after  a  few  mo- 
ments, he  stepped  over  the  rail  of  the  daintiest  craft 
he  had  imagined  ever  could  be  built,  and  stood 
facing  a  young  girl,  hardly  older  than  himself,  in 
the  rear  of  whom  were  a  half  a  dozen  ladies  and 
gentlemen. 

Stephen's  knowledge  of  the  world  had  been  con- 
fined to  what  he  could  learn  at  Dyer  &  Jose's  store, 
from  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett,  and  from  such  com- 
panions as  had  been  his  schoolmates.       Therefore 


1 10  Lobster  Catchers. 

it  was  as  if  he  had  suddenly  come  upon  another  race 
of  beings;  and  however  manfully  he  might  have 
struggled  throughout  the  long  night  to  save  these 
people,  it  was  as  if  he  had  committed  a  grave  indis- 
cretion in  daring  to  stand  before  them. 

"  We  have  to  thank  you  for  our  lives,  sir,"  the 
young  lady  said,  as  she  extended  her  hand,  and 
Stephen  awkwardly  wiped  his  on  the  skirt  of  his 
coat  before  venturing  to  take  it.  "  It  was  a  brave 
deed  to  come  down  and  take  us  in  tow,  as  you  did, 
when  the  storm  was  raging.  But  for  your  bravery 
our  yacht  would  have  been  swamped,  and  we 
drowned.  It  is  impossible  to  thank  you  as  I 
should ;  but  in  the  name  of  my  father  and  all  here, 
I  wish  to  say  that  we  are  deeply  sensible  of  what 
we  owe  you." 

"  There  is  no  need  of  mentioning  it,  miss," 
Stephen  replied,  with  painful  embarrassment.  "  It 
was  only  a  question  of  answering  your  signal  of  dis- 
tress, and  mighty  glad  am  I  that  both  steamers  are 
safe  here  in  Seal  Harbor." 

' '  Are  we  far  from  Portland  ? ' '  one  of  the  party 
asked. 

"  Near  to  thirty  miles." 

"  And  it  will  be  impossible  for  us  to  make  repairs 
to  the  yacht  without  going  there  ?  "  Miss  Hamilton 
said,  interrogatively. 

' '  I  reckon  so,  if  the  propeller  is  disabled. 


The  "  Vera's  "  Captain.  1 1 1 

Then  we  are  yet  in  your  care,  sir,  and  depend 
upon  you  to  take  us  and  the  yacht  into  port.  You 
shall  be  repaid  for  all  the  service,"  she  added, 
quickly,  seeing  a  show  of  hesitation  upon  Stephen's 
face. 

There  's  no  question  of  my  doing  what  you 
need,  though  perhaps  I  was  foolish  enough  to  hesi- 
tate for  an  instant,"  Captain  Ike's  partner  replied. 
"  You  see,  the  Sprite  does  n't  belong  to  us;  we  're 
running  her  on  shares,  and  came  out  to  buy  lobsters ; 
but,  of  course,  we  're  bound  to  put  you  into  port, 
as  we  will  do  when  this  fog  lifts." 

During  all  this  time  Miss  Hamilton  had  been  hold- 
ing Stephen's  hand,  much  to  his  embarrassment,  and 
now  she  clasped  it  with  both  of  hers  as  she  said,  in  a 
tone  of  thankfulness  which  could  not  be  mistaken : 

"  You  have  saved  our  lives,  and  although  that 
debt  can  never  be  repaid,  my  father  shall  see  to  it 
that  the  owner  of  your  steamer  is  fully  recompensed 
for  such  use  as  you  have  made  of  his  property." 

Then  she  released  his  hand,  and  Stephen,  feeling 
a  trifle  more  at  ease,  replied  in  a  matter-of-fact  tone : 

"  You  will  have  to  lay  here  until  the  fog  lifts,  for 
I  don't  reckon  there  's  any  great  need  of  leaving  a 
harbor  in  this  smother." 

"  So  that  you  have  taken  charge  of  us,  we  are 
satisfied.  There  is  nothing  out  of  the  way  with  the 
Vera  except  the  loss  of  her  propeller,  and  we  shall 


H2  Lobster  Catchers. 

be  quite  comfortable  and  content  for  so  long  as 
pleases  you." 

"  Thank  you,  miss,"  Stephen  replied,  knowing 
not  what  else  to  say ;  and  then,  awkwardly,  he 
backed  over  the  rail,  lifting  his  hat  instinctively  by 
way  of  adieu. 

The  sailing-master,  if  that  was  the  position  which 
the  young  man  occupied  who  had  brought  Stephen 
aboard,  carried  him  back  to  his  own  craft,  and  once 
arrived  there,  he  found  Captain  Ike  and  Ben  Willis 
bargaining  as  eagerly  over  the  latter's  catch  of  lob- 
sters as  if  such  a  thing  as  a  steam  yacht  with  a 
young  lady  for  captain  had  never  been  known. 

"  Well,  lad,  what  about  the  toy  ?  Did  you  see 
the  skipper  ?  "  the  old  fisherman  asked  as  Stephen 
entered  the  engine-room.  Then,  by  way  of  intro- 
duction, he  added,  motioning  with  his  thumb  toward 
the  lad:  "  This  'ere  youngster  is  my  partner,  Ben, 
and  he  promises  to  make  as  good  an'  square  a  man 
as  was  his  father. ' ' 

"  I  saw  the  skipper,  Captain  Ike,  and  wish  you 
might  have  been  the  one  to  go  aboard." 

"  Why  ?  "  the  old  man  asked,  with  mild  curiosity. 
"  He  puts  on  a  lot  of  high  an'  mighty  airs  on  ac- 
count of  havin'  command  of  a  gingerbread  craft  like 
that  one,  I  reckon." 

"  I  don't  think  she  did,  sir.  I  thought  she  was 
right  nice  and  friendly." 


The  "  VeraV  Captain.  113 

"  She  ?  What  's  the  matter  with  you,  lad  ?  Has 
the  first  night  's  work  at  the  engine  turned  your 
head  ? " 

Not  a  bit  of  it,  Captain  Ike;  but  the  captain  of 
the  yacht  might  have  done  so  if  I  'd  come  a  bit 
nearer  to  being  in  her  class.  Miss  Hamilton  is  the 
name  of  the  skipper,  and  the  young  fellow  who 
took  me  aboard  appears  to  be  a  sort  of  sailing- 
master." 

Captain  Ike  leaned  back  on  the  locker  in  order  to 
look  up  at  Stephen's  face,  and,  after  a  close  scrutiny, 
as  if  to  make  certain  the  lad  was  not  playing  upon 
his  credulity,  said  emphatically  : 

"  Well,  that  beats  me!  I  don't  wonder  the  craft 
was  in  distress !  I  've  heard  tell  that  young  women 
had  taken  to  sailin'  yachts;  but  never  believed  it 
was  more  'n  a  newspaper  yarn.  So  we  've  brought 
in  a  parcel  of  women,  eh  ? "  and  for  the  moment 
the  old  man  appeared  to  have  forgotten  that  there 
were  such  things  in  the  sea  as  lobsters. 

"  There  is  quite  a  company  of  young  men  and 
women  aboard,  sir." 

"  Scared  pretty  night  out  'er  what  small  wit  they 
may  chance  to  have,  I  reckon  ?  " 

They  all  appear  to  understand  that  but  for  the 
Sprite  the  yacht  would  have  been  wrecked,  and 
count  on  our  towing  them  to  the  city,  for  the  little 
steamer's  screw  has  been  carried  away." 


ii4  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  What  did  you  tell  the  young  woman  when  she 
made  such  foolish  talk  as  that  ?  "  Captain  Ike  asked, 
as  if  in  a  towering  rage. 

"  I  did  n't  say  it  could  n't  be  done,  because  we  're 
bound  to  help  them  so  far  as  is  possible.  The  yacht 
is  helpless,  and  we  can't  leave  her  here,  sir." 

Oh,  we  can't,  eh  ?  Hark  you,  Stephen  Jordan, 
did  we  come  out  on  this  'ere  cruise  to  do  a  towin' 
business,  or  buy  lobsters  ?  " 

Of  course,  I  understand  as  well  as  you  why  we 
came;  but  it  seems  as  if  we  were  bound  to  do  as 
Miss  Hamilton  wishes." 

Let  her  wait  here  till  a  tug  comes  along,  an' 
we  '11  'tend  to  our  reg'lar  business.  After  wastin' 
coal  as  we  did  last  night,  I  reckon  we  've  done  our 
duty  by  a  parcel  of  idjuts  who  go  to  sea  in  such  as 
yonder  gingerbread  steamer." 

"  The  boy  is  right,  Captain  Ike;  you  're  bound 
to  see  them  through  their  troubles,  havin'  begun 
the  job,"  Ben  Willis  interposed.  "  Tugboats  don't 
come  this  way  very  often,  an'  they  might  lay  here  a 
month  without  gettin'  another  such  chance  for  a 
tow  as  you  can  give  'em." 

"  It  's  for  Captain  Skillin's  to  say  whether  we 
shall  waste  our  time  in  that  fashion,  an'  till  he  gives 
the  word  I  '11  stick  to  what  we  agreed  on." 

"  There  's  four  times  as  much  money  to  be  made 
towin'  that  yacht  into  port  than  there  is  at  buyin' 


The  "Vera's"  Captain.  115 

lobsters,"  Willis  suggested  in  a  matter-of-fact  tone; 
whereat  the  old  fisherman  grew  thoughtful. 

"  Miss  Hamilton  says  her  father  will  pay  for  what 
we  have  done,"  Stephen  added;  and  the  old  man 
had  no  further  protest  to  make. 

He  remained  silent  while  one  might  have  counted 
twenty,  and  then  resumed  his  previous  conversation 
with  Ben  Willis  by  asking : 

"  How  many  lobsters  have  you  got  ?  " 

"  Five  or  six  hundred,  I  reckon." 

"  It  must  have  been  quite  a  spell  since  any  lob- 
ster-smack come  this  way  ? ' ' 

"  We  've  had  so  much  fog  lately  that  they  've 
been  shy  of  Seal  Harbor;  but  you  '11  see  plenty  of 
'em  after  this." 

"  An'  by  the  time  one  comes,  half  your  lobsters 
will  have  gone  to  feed  the  other  half." 

"  I  'm  not  sayin'  but  that  they  've  been  in  the 
cars  plenty  long  enough." 

"  An'  it  '11  pay  you  to  make  a  fair  trade  with  us 
for  the  sake  of  gettin'  rid  of  'em." 

"  What  do  you  call  a  fair  trade  ?  " 

Thirteen  dollars  a  hundred,  cash  down  the  minute 
we  've  taken  'em  aboard." 

"  They  're  worth  more  'n  that  in  town." 

"  Of  course  they  are.  Do  you  reckon  we  're  out 
here  to  buy  for  the  same  price  that  can  be  had  in 
the  market  ?     I  've  offered  a  fair  sum,  an'  even  if 


u6  Lobster  Catchers. 

you  should  get  a  dollar  a  hundred  more  to-morrow, 
it  would  'nt  pay  to  wait,  because  you  know  as  well 
as  I  that  once  lobsters  in  a  car  fall  to  eatin'  each 
other,  it  don't  take  long  to  spoil  the  looks  of  a 
hundred.  We  '11  give  that  figger,  an'  agree  to 
come  here  every  week  or  ten  days,  weather  per- 
mittin'." 

Ben  Willis  pretended  to  hesitate,  and  Captain  Ike 
tried  to  appear  indifferent. 

Stephen  busied  himself  with  cleaning  the  ma- 
chinery while  the  two  haggled  and  bargained,  and 
when  not  less  than  half  an  hour  had  thus  been  spent 
Willis  said,  in  an  injured  tone: 

"  I  reckon  you  '11  have  to  take  'em;  but  it  's  the 
same  as  givin'  you  ten  dollars." 

"  We  stand  a  good  chance  of  gettin'  our  money 
back,  an'  nothin'  left  with  which  to  pay  for  the 
coal." 

"  When  will  you  take  'em  ?  " 

"  Now,  if  you  say  the  word.  Seein'  's  how 
Stephen  is  bent  on  towin'  that  toy  steamer  back  to 
port,  I  reckon  it  stands  us  in  hand  to  be  ready  for  a 
start  right  away  after  this  smother  lifts." 

"  Pull  alongside  the  car,  an'  we  '11  put  'em 
aboard." 

Then  the  Seal  Harbor  fisherman  went  on  board 
his  dory,  and  Captain  Ike  said,  with  a  chuckle  of 
satisfaction,  to  his  partner : 


CAGES    FOR    BOILING    LOBSTERS. 


Pcure  7/6. 


The  "  Vera's  "  Captain.  117 

That  ain't  a  bad  trade  for  the  first  one,  lad. 
We  '11  get  twenty-five  or  thirty  dollars  profit  for 
about  the  same  number  of  hour's  work,  to  say 
nothin'  of  what  ought  'er  come  to  us  in  the  way  of 
salvage.  There  's  no  goin'  back  on  the  fact  that 
the  yacht  was  in  danger  when  we  pulled  her  head 
to  the  wind,  an'  I  allow  Sam  Skillin's  will  see  that 
we  're  paid  all  the  job  is  worth." 

"  It  don't  seem  just  the  proper  thing  to  bargain 
with  Miss  Hamilton  for  a  dollar  more  or  less,  after 
we  've  saved  her  life,"  Stephen  said,  hesitatingly, 
his  face  reddening,  although  he  could  not  have  said 
why. 

There  's  no  call  for  us  to  do  anythin'  of  the 
kind,  lad.  We  can  trust  the  Sprite  s  owner  for 
that.  Come,  we  've  got  quite  a  job  on  hand,  and 
the  sooner  we  pull  the  craft  around  to  Ben  Willis's 
car  the  quicker  it  can  be  begun." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A   MATTER  OF  SALVAGE. 

CAPTAIN  IKE  was  not  disposed  to  linger, 
once  the  bargain  with  Ben  Willis  had  been 
made,  even  though  the  fog  hung  over  the  waters  so 
densely  that  it  would  have  been  little  short  of  fool- 
hardiness  to  leave  the  harbor  while  the  ocean  was 
shrouded  in  mist. 

Ben  Willis's  lobster-cars  were  made  after  the 
ordinary  fashion ;  that  is  to  say,  they  were  huge 
wooden  cages,  or  boxes,  built  of  plank,  twenty  feet 
long,  ten  feet  wide,  and  three  or  four  feet  in  depth, 
with  a  trap-door  or  hatchway  in  the  top. 

Such  cars  are  weighted  to  bring  the  upper  portion 
level  with  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  through  the 
trap-door  the  lobsters  are  put  in  or  taken  out,  as 
may  be  desired. 

In  order  that  some  of  Captain  Ike's  conversation 
may  be  the  better  understood,  it  is  well  to  say  that, 
while  fishermen  can  keep  their  catch  alive  a  certain 
time  in  such  cages,  it  is  not  possible  to  do  so  many 
days,  because  of  the  fact  that  a  lobster  will  eat  his 
brother  or  his  cousin  quite  as  quickly  as  a  bit  of 
fresh  fish.    Therefore,  as  Captain  Ike  had  intimated, 

118 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  119 

it  was  not  profitable  for  Ben  Willis  to  stand  out  for 
a  dollar  more  a  hundred,  when  in  twenty-four  hours 
the  captives  would  lessen  by  many  dozen  their 
numbers. 

Ben  Willis's  cars  were  anchored  in  deep  water  a 
hundred  feet  or  more  out  from  where  the  Sprite  was 
lying,  and  it  was  not  an  arduous  or  a  difficult  under- 
taking to  bring  the  little  steamer  alongside  these 
submarine  cages. 

Once  this  was  done,  Willis,  standing  on  top  of 
the  car,  which  would  have  upheld  a  dozen  men, 
fished,  with  a  scoop-net  on  the  end  of  a  stout  pole, 
for  his  captives. 

The  hatch  covering  the  tank  on  board  the 
steamer  had  been  removed,  and  the  lobsters  were 
passed  from  one  person  to  another  with  such  rapid- 
ity that,  at  the  end  of  two  hours,  a  full  six  hundred 
had  been  taken  aboard  the  Sprite. 

"  There  may  be  a  scatterin'  one  now  and  then 
here,"  Willis  said,  as  he  threw  up  the  last  netful 
from  the  fourth  car;  "  but  seein'  's  how  you  've  got 
six  hundred  good  count,  we  '11  call  it  done." 

Captain  Ike  was  quite  ready  to  bring  the  work  to 
an  end,  even  though  he  did  not  succeed  in  getting 
every  lobster  the  fisherman  had  on  hand ;  for  by 
this  time  the  fog  gave  signs  of  lifting,  and  he  said  to 
Stephen,  as  they  fastened  down  the  heavy  hatch 
with  a  bar  of  iron : 


120  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  It  's  time  we  were  off,  lad,  unless  we  're  willin' 
to  put  in  another  night  at  towin'.  I  allow  this  'ere 
smother  is  burnin'  off  so  fast  that  when  you  're 
ready  to  start  her  up  the  course  will  be  plain  before 
us." 

Ben  Willis  came  on  board  to  receive  payment  for 
that  which  probably  represented  twenty  days'  labor 
while  exposed  to  all  the  dangers  of  the  sea ;  and  the 
three  went  into  the  engine-room. 

Stephen  produced  the  canvas  bag  with  its  contents 
of  paper  and  silver,  which  had  been  stowed  carefully 
in  one  of  the  lockers,  and  from  their  capital  was 
counted  out  seventy-eight  dollars. 

After  Willis  had  thrust  it  into  his  pocket  with  an 
assumption  of  carelessness,  as  if  he  was  accustomed 
to  receiving  such  amounts  frequently,  Captain  Ike 
said,  indifferently: 

"  I  reckon  you  would  n't  mind  throwin'  in  a  few 
fish.  In  case  we  don't  make  port  until  to-morrow 
mornin',  somethin'  of  the  kind  will  come  in  handy; 
otherwise  we  stand  a  chance  of  losin'  a  good  part 
of  the  cargo." 

I  allow  I  can  do  it,  though  when  a  man  gets 
half-price  for  his  catch  it  comes  tough  to  throw  in 
a  lot  of  feed." 

"  Have  your  own  way  about  it,  Ben.  I  don't 
s'pose  we  really  need  anythin'  of  the  kind ;  but,  as 
I  said,  they  might  come  in  handy,  an'  we  three  are 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  121 

like  to  do  a  good  bit  of  business  together  'twixt  now 
an'  next  spring." 

Willis  went  on  board  after  the  fish  which  were  to 
serve  as  food  for  the  lobsters,  and  Captain  Ike  said 
to  his  partner  in  a  tone  of  satisfaction : 

We  've  made  a  pretty  good  turn,  lad,  an' 
have  n't  got  money  enough  to  take  in  very  many 
hundred  more,  if  we  count  on  payin'  cash.  The 
next  trip  we  '11  have  a  good  bit  bigger  capital." 

Perhaps  Captain  Skillings  will  want  us  to  pay 
what  we  owe  him." 

"  Not  he,  lad.  He  knows  it  ain't  possible  for  us 
to  make  enough  in  one  trip  to  provide  us  with  cash, 
and  so  long  as  we  bring  in  good  fares  you  can  count 
on  holdin'  what  he  's  lent  till  there  's  no  longer  any 
need  for  it.  Now,  if  you  '11  set  about  raisin'  steam, 
I  '11  pass  the  hawsers  to  the  toy  steamer,  an'  in  less 
than  an  hour  we  '11  be  under  way,  providin'  that 
young  female  captain  don't  get  any  whim  into  her 
head  in  regard  to  stoppin'  here  a  spell." 

"  From  what  I  have  seen,  I  should  say  she  would 
be  more  than  willing  to  go  whenever  we  are  ready," 
Stephen  replied  with  a  laugh,  as,  after  carefully  re- 
placing the  canvas  bag  in  the  locker,  he  set  about 
his  work  of  engineer. 

Twenty  minutes  later  Captain  Ike  came  below, 
and  his  partner  was  quick  to  note  the  expression  of 
mingled  perplexity  and  amusement  on  his  face. 


122  Lobster  Catchers. 

' '  Well,  are  the  hawsers  aboard  again  ? ' '  the  lad 
asked. 

"  Ay,  an'  in  shape  for  holdin'  her,  providin'  we 
don't  put  a  heavier  strain  on  the  bitt  than  was  done 
last  night.  Queer  sort  of  an  idee,  a  young  woman 
like  that  Miss  Hamilton  knockin'  about  in  a  steamer, 
ain't  it  ?" 

"  Then  you  've  seen  her  ?  " 

"  Yes;  she  came  forward  when  the  sailin' -master 
an'  I  was  tendin'  to  the  job.  Seems  to  be  a  right 
decent  sort  of  a  girl.  Nothin'  stuck  up  'bout  her, 
an'  I  should  n't  wonder  if  she  knew  her  business  as 
well  as  a  good  many  of  these  dandified  fellers  that 
go  round  in  yachts  callin'  themselves  sailors." 

"  Do  you  still  think  that  perhaps  Captain  Skill- 
ings  might  object  to  our  towing  the  Vera  into  port  ?  " 
Stephen  asked,  with  a  smile. 

"  Whether  he  does  or  not,  it  's  got  to  be  done, 
lad,  seein'  's  how  the  young  woman  an'  her  friends 
are  tied  up  here  for  quite  a  spell,  perhaps,  unless  we 
lend  them  a  hand.  Besides,  it 's  a  matter  of  salvage 
as  well  as  doin'  a  good  turn;  for  that  'ere  ginger- 
bread boat  is  worth  a  pile  of  money,  even  though 
she  don't  look  to  be  anythin'  but  a  toy.  I  'm 
allowin'  we  will  have  made,  when  she  's  alongside 
Skillin's's  pier,  more  solid  cash  than  could  be  earned 
in  a  full  season  by  buyin'  lobsters.  How  near  are 
you  ready  ? ' ' 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  123 

"  In  ten  minutes  we  shall  have  steam  enough." 
Then  s'pose  we  get  a  bite  of  somethin'  to  eat, 
for  it  will  be  a  long  pull  from  here  into  port,  no 
matter  how  fine  the  weather  is,  an'  we  sha'n't  have 
another  chance  to  eat  peaceably." 

Having  said  this,  the  old  man  set  out  such  of  the 
stores  as  he  thought  would  satisfy  their  hunger,  and 
by  the  time  the  two  had  finished  what  was  really  a 
combination  of  breakfast  and  dinner,  the  guage 
showed  that  there  was  sufficient  pressure  to  admit 
of  getting  under  way. 

Standing  in  the  companion-way,  Captain  Ike 
bawled  out  the  order  for  the  Vera  s  crew  to  weigh 
anchor,  and  then  he  and  Stephen  went  forward  to 
cast  off  the  moorings,  which  had  been  made  fast  to 
the  lobster-car,  the  latter  receiving,  to  his  evident 
satisfaction,  a  nod  and  a  smile  from  Miss  Hamilton, 
who  was  standing  near  the  wheel-house  as  if  to 
make  certain  that  the  crew  obeyed  the  old  fisher- 
man's commands  with  due  promptness. 

If  her  father  owns  that  toy,  an'  I  reckon  he 
does,  he  must  be  a  rich  man,"  Captain  Ike  observed 
in  a  hoarse  whisper ;  and  to  this  proposition  Stephen 
agreed. 

Well,  she  ain't  puttin'  on  any  airs  about  it,  an' 
that  's  more  than  can  be  said  of  the  general  run  of 
such  people.  I  don't  allow  that  if  a  man  's  rich  it  's 
anythin'   agin'   him;   but,  at  the  same  time  I  've 


124  Lobster  Catchers. 

noticed  that  the  most  of  'em  think  money  gives 
them  a  right  to  lord  it  over  folks  as  are  poor.  I  'm 
kind  of  glad  we  picked  up  that  craft." 

Stephen  laughed  heartily. 

"  Then  you  are  really  willing  to  admit  that 
you  're  glad  we  did  n't  run  into  Seal  Harbor  yes- 
terday afternoon  and  leave  them  to  drown,  are 
you  ?  " 

"  I  don't  mean  it  just  that  way,  lad.  What  I 
counted  on  sayin'  was  to  the  effect  that  it  seemed 
kind  of  pleasant  to  run  afoul  of  sich  people.  If 
you  're  ready  we  '11  send  her  along,  with  the  idee  of 
tyin'  up  to  Skillin's's  dock  before  nine  o'clock,  and 
then  we  '11  try  what  we  can  do  in  the  way  of  sleepin, 
seein'  's  how  we  lost  one  full  night." 

When  Captain  Ike  had  gone  into  the  wheel-house, 
Stephen  did  his  share  toward  "  sendin'  her  along," 
by  starting  the  engine,  and  the  sun  sent  a  shaft  of 
golden  light  down  through  the  gray  mist,  giving 
promise  of  dispelling  it  entirely,  just  as  the  Sprite 
swung  around  with  the  Vera  in  tow. 

Compared  with  the  labor  and  anxieties  of  the  pre- 
vious night,  this  pulling  the  disabled  craft  through 
comparatively  smooth  waters,  with  little  or  no  wind 
to  check  the  headway,  was  a  simple  task. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  however,  the  weight  of  the 
Vera  astern  checked  the  Sprite 's  speed  very  de- 
cidedly.    But  there  was  no  snapping  and  creaking 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  125 

of  the  cables,  or  groaning  of  the  timbers  to  cause 
alarm,  and,  save  for  some  possible  accident,  the 
work  of  carrying  the  yacht  into  harbor  was  only  a 
matter  of  time. 

When  not  occupied  in  watching  the  engine, 
Stephen  looked  out  through  the  companion-way  to 
the  dainty  little  craft  astern,  and  there  saw  the 
captain  and  her  guests  making  as  merry  as  if  having 
been  disabled  and  near  to  death  was  but  an  incident 
in  a  summer's  yachting  cruise. 

The  lad  came  near  to  envying  the  young  gentle- 
men of  the  party,  whose  clothing  was  so  fine,  whose 
hands  so  white,  whose  manners  all  they  should  be. 

It  'sa  great  thing  to  have  plenty  of  money," 
he  muttered  to  himself;  "  but  there  's  many  a  one 
who  don't  know  how  to  use  it  decently,  and  perhaps 
I  would  be  among  them.  If  this  lobster  business 
turns  out  as  we  've  counted  on,  giving  me  cash 
enough  with  which  to  put  the  farm  into  shape,  I 
would  n't  change  places  with  anybody,  and  it  looks 
as  if  we  'd  begun  well, — thirty  dollars  profit  on  our 
cargo,  and  the  satisfaction  of  having  done  a  good 
turn  for  them  astern." 

Then  he  compared  the  Sprite  with  the  Vera,  and 
wondered  how  he  could  have  thought  the  former 
such  a  fine  craft,  until  he  came  to  realize  that  with 
one  he  might  earn  the  money  his  mother  needed, 
while  the  other  was  comparatively  useless,  save  as 


126  Lobster  Catchers. 

a  plaything ;  and  at  once  Captain  Skillings's  steamer 
took  on  for  him  a  new  appearance. 

From  time  to  time  Captain  Ike  called  down 
through  the  tube  to  assure  himself  that  everything 
was  working  well  in  the  engine-room,  or  to  cheer 
his  partner  by  advising  him  of  the  progress  they 
were  making. 

"  We  shall  run  into  Skillin's's  pier  before  sunset," 
he  announced,  confidently;  "  an',  what  's  more  to 
my  likin',  have  a  chance  of  talkin'  with  the  Captain 
before  we  turn  in  for  the  night." 

"  Are  you  anxious  to  tell  him  that  we  've  got  six 
hundred  lobsters  aboard  ?  " 

"  Well,  that  's  a  piece  of  news  he  won't  despise; 
but  it  's  the  matter  of  salvage  that  I  want  to  lay 
before  him.  The  more  I  look  at  yonder  toy,  the 
more  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  we  ought  to  be 
paid  for  savin'  her,  an'  he  '11  know  to  a  dot  what 
the  job  is  worth." 

Stephen  made  no  reply  to  this  remark;  but  he 
looked  astern,  where  Miss  Hamilton  stood  in  the 
wheel-house,  forming  as  pretty  as  picture  as  any 
fisherman  could  desire,  and  one  more  beautiful  than 
he  often  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing,  wondering 
what  sort  of  an  opinion  she  would  have  of  them 
could  she  hear  their  conversation. 

The  consumption  of  coal  on  this  afternoon  was 
almost  as  great  as  it  had  been  during  the  night,  and, 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  127 

after  measuring  with  his  eye  the  amount  of  fuel 
which  yet  remained  in  the  bunkers,  Stephen  an- 
nounced to  his  partner: 

The  thirty  dollars  you  figure  as  profit  on  the 
lobsters  won't  all  come  in  to  us ;  for  the  coal  we  shall 
have  burned  by  the  time  the  Sprite  is  at  the  dock 
will  amount  to  a  full  third  of  that." 

"  The  coal  don't  cut  any  very  great  figger  when 
it  's  a  matter  of  salvage  like  we  've  got  this  day, 
lad,"  Captain  Ike  replied,  cheerily;  and  his  partner 
said,  almost  petulantly : 

"  I  wish  you  would  n't  talk  so  much  about  sal- 
vage just  now.  I  'd  rather  think,  for  a  while  at 
least,  that  we  've  done  some  good  in  the  world  by 
saving  the  lives  of  those  on  board  the  yacht." 

"  The  two  idees  run  together,  my  boy.  Take  all 
the  satisfaction  you  want  out  of  preventin'  them 
poor  creatures  from  drownin',  an'  then  lay  back  on 
the  cold  fact  that  we  've  made  a  big  thing  out  of 
doin'  a  charitable  deed;  an'  it  's  a  mighty  com- 
fortable thought  when  you  come  to  figger  up 
the  coal  that  's  been  burned,  or  the  lobsters  we 
might  have  bought  if  we  had  n't  headed  so  soon  for 
home." 

It  was  not  yet  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  when 
the  Sprite  made  fast  opposite  the  Skillings  ware- 
house, with  the  Vera  alongside,  and  Captain  Ike 
hurriedly  said  to  his  partner: 


128  Lobster  Catchers. 

"I  'm  goin'  ashore  to  report  our  arrival,  lad. 
Look  out  for  things  while  I  'm  gone." 

Then,  without  giving  any  heed  to  the  captain  or 
crew  of  the  yacht,  he  leaped  ashore,  and  Stephen 
was  left,  as  he  supposed,  to  perform  such  work  as 
falls  to  the  duty  of  an  engineer  upon  arriving  in  port. 

In  such  task,  however,  he  was  to  be  delayed ;  for 
it  seemed  as  if  he  had  but  just  began  to  wipe  the 
stains  of  toil  from  the  rods  and  bars,  when  the  sound 
of  footsteps  on  deck  caused  him  to  believe  his  part- 
ner had  returned. 

"  Got  back  quick,  did  n't  you  ?  "  he  asked,  with- 
out looking  around,  and  a  musical  voice  replied, 
causing  him  to  start  in  surprise  and  confusion : 

"  I  have  n't  been  very  far  away  since  you  picked 
us  up,  when  it  seemed  certain  the  Vera  would  be 
torn  to  pieces  by  the  waves." 

It  was  Miss  Hamilton,  and,  wiping  his  hands  with 
a  bit  of  waste,  Stephen  turned  quickly,  removing 
his  greasy  cap  by  way  of  salutation. 

"  We  can  safely  say  that  our  troubles  are  over  now, 
thanks  to  you,  for  it  is  very  likely  father  will  insist  on 
our  coming  home  by  land,  while  the  Vera  lays  here 
for  repairs.  I  want  you  to  tell  me  to  whom  I  am 
indebted  for  the  lives  of  myself  and  my  friends." 

"  This  lobster-smack  belongs  to  Captain  Skill- 
ings." 

"  That  is  n't  exactly  what  I  wanted  to  know," 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  129 

Miss  Hamilton  replied,  with  a  laugh.       '  What  is 
your  name,  and  where  do  you  live  ?  " 

Stephen  gave  the  desired  information,  and  the 
young  woman  continued  her  inquiries  by  asking 
how  long  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  business  of 
buying  lobsters. 

Hardly  aware  that  he  was  going  so  closely  into 
details  regarding  himself  and  his  purposes,  but 
having  the  facts  drawn  from  him  by  skillful  ques- 
tioning, Stephen  told  very  much  of  his  hopes  and 
plans  for  the  future;  and  had  but  just  finished  the 
simple  story  when  Captain  Skillings  and  the  old 
fisherman  came  on  board. 

The  interview  between  the  pretty  little  captain  of 

the  yacht   and   the  engineer  of   the  lobster-smack 

was   at   an    end,    for  the   fish-dealer  at   once  took 

charge    of    matters   by    making   inquiries   of   Miss 

Hamilton  as  to  what  she  proposed  doing  with  the 

yacht,  and  to  him  the  young  lady  intrusted  such 

business  as  must  be  attended  to  before  her  father 

could  send  instructions. 

The  Vera  shall  be  left  in  your  charge,  Captain 

Skillings,  and  I  will  give  you  my  father's  address. 

It  seems  best  that  we  should  go  home  by  train  at 

once,  if  you  are  willing  to  attend  to  the  business. 

But  you   may   be   assured   that   I   will   return  very 

shortly,  if  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  have  another 

chat  with  the  captain  of  your  steamer." 
9 


130  Lobster  Catchers. 

Then  the  young  lady,  escorted  by  Captain  Skill- 
ings,  went  on  board  the  "  gingerbread  boat,"  and 
the  engineer  of  the  Sprite,  who  was  conscious  of 
having  been  very  awkward  when  she  said  adieu, 
believed  there  was  little  chance  of  his  ever  seeing 
her  again. 

Captain  Ike  had  no  part  in  the  business  conversa- 
tion which  the  fish-dealer  held  with  the  commander 
of  the  Vera  ;  but  set  about  the  work  which  remained 
to  be  done  as  soon  as  the  guests  had  gone  on 
board  the  yacht. 

"  Lobsters  still  hold  at  eighteen  cents,  so  we  've 
got  thirty  dollars  as  profit,  less  what  's  been  spent 
for  coal,"  he  announced.  "  Sam  Skillin's  is  in 
high  feather  over  what  's  been  done  on  the  first 
cruise,  and  I  took  mighty  good  pains,  lad,  to  tell 
him  plump  an'  plain  that  if  it  had  n't  been  for  you 
we  'd  never  have  had  this  'ere  matter  of  salvage  on 
our  hands,  for  I  did  n't  realize  what  a  big  thing  it 
might  turn  out  to  be.  He  says  that  you  can  keep 
the  Sprite  as  long  as  you  want  her,  or  have  a  bigger 
boat,  if  business  warrants  it.  What  's  been  done 
the  last  four  an'  twenty  hours  has  given  him  a  big 
idee  of  Stephen  Jordan,  an'  he  did  n't  have  any 
mean  one  to  start  with." 

"  There  was  no  reason  why  he  should  have  been 
told  that  you  would  n't  have  answered  that  signal 
of  distress,  Captain  Ike;  for  I  'm  certain  it  was  n't 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  131 

in  your  heart  to  go  on  without  knowing  in  what 
straits  those  on  board  might  be." 

I  should  have  done  it  all  the  same,  'cause  I 
know  what  a  queer  fish  Skillin's  is.  If  we  had  run 
down  there  to  find  some  other  lobster-smack  in  a 
little  bit  of  trouble  with  leakin'  tubes,  or  the  like  of 
that,  an'  used  up,  as  we  did,  a  couple  tons  of  coal, 
it  would  n't  have  been  no  ways  strange  for  him  to 
have  said  when  we  got  back,  '  Well,  I  guess  you 
need  n't  run  the  Sprite  any  longer.  You  fool  round 
too  much  to  suit  me. '  I  know  Skillin's,  an'  have  n't 
got  a  word  to  say  agin'  him,  except  that  he  's  a 
queer  fish  when  he  takes  the  notion." 
What  is  to  be  done  now  ?  " 

"  We  're  to  run  alongside  of  his  cars  to  discharge 
the  cargo;  so  the  sooner  we  do  it  the  quicker  we 
can  turn  in,  for  I  'm  powerful  sleepy,  even  though 
we  did  do  a  big  stroke  of  business  in  the  way  of 
salvage. ' ' 

The  Sprite  was  soon  hauled  out  past  the  dainty 
little  yacht  she  had  saved,  around  the  head  of  the 
pier  to  the  dock,  which  was  nearly  filled  with  huge 
lobster-cars,  where  the  fish-dealer's  surplus  stock 
was  stored ;  and  here,  with  one  of  the  employees 
from  the  warehouse  to  count  out  the  cargo,  that 
which  had  been  purchased  from  Ben  Willis  was 
deposited. 

I  reckon  we  '11  lay  where  we  are  to-night,  son, 


132  Lobster  Catchers. 

seein'  's  how  the  toy  steamer  has  probably  slipped 
into  our  berth,  an'  it  won't  do  for  us  to  let  the 
Sprite  chafe  the  paint  from  her  hull.  To-morrow 
morning  bright  an'  early  we  '11  fill  up  the  coal  bunk- 
ers, for  I  'm  countin*  on  leavin'  here  before  ten 
o'clock." 

"When  shall  we  get  the  money?"  Stephen 
asked. 

"  Oh,  that  's  bound  to  be  paid  to-night,  'cause 
it  's  understood  we  can't  loaf  round  waitin'  for  it. 
You  put  things  shipshape,  an'  I  '11  'tend  to  that 
part  of  the  business.  I  guess  I  can  be  trusted  to 
bring  the  cash  from  the  office  up  here." 

With  a  hearty  laugh,  which  told  how  free  from 
care  and  full  of  hope  he  was,  the  old  fisherman 
went  on  shore  again,  walking  across  the  cars,  which 
formed  a  substantial  sort  of  bridge;  and  Stephen 
set  about  caring  for  his  engine,  this  time  without 
being  interrupted  by  either  male  or  female  visitors. 

Within  an  hour  after  discharging  the  cargo,  the 
crew  of  the  Sprite  were  in  their  narrow  bunks,  sleep- 
ing soundly;  and  meanwhile  the  Vera  was  being 
towed  to  the  dry-dock,  her  captain  and  passengers 
having  gone  ashore  escorted  by  the  fish-dealer. 

The  sun  was  not  yet  in  sight,  although  a  new  day 
had  dawned,  when  Captain  Ike  aroused  his  partner 
with  the  cry : 

"Turn    out,    my  hearty!     Turn  out,  an'  while 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  133 

you  're  raisin'  steam  I  '11  get  breakfast!  We  can't 
afford  to  spend  a  great  deal  of  time  takin'  in  coal, 
else  we  shall  have  Captain  Skillin's  after  us,  com- 
plainin'  that  he  can't  keep  cats  what  don't  catch 
mice." 

The  work  of  making  ready  for  the  second  cruise 
was  carried  on  expeditiously  and  without  delay, 
save  for  a  few  moments  when  Stephen  ran  across 
the  dock  to  see  if  the  Vera  yet  remained  where  he 
had  last  seen  her. 

There  was  a  certain  sense  of  disappointment  in 
the  lad's  mind,  although  he  could  not  have  said 
why,  as  he  failed  to  find  the  little  craft,  and  the 
remarks  of  the  warehouse  porter  did  not  tend  to 
dissipate  them. 

"  I  'm  told  you  did  a  big  job,  Stephen  Jordan, 
on  your  first  cruise,  an'  I  reckon  you  're  round 
here  lookin'  for  the  yacht.  She  an'  them  as  were 
on  board  are  not  for  the  like  of  a  lobster  catcher,  so 
bear  that  well  in  mind  in  case  you  're  disposed  to 
be  disappointed  at  not  seein'  them  again.  When 
these  swells  are  in  trouble  they  '11  be  mighty 
friendly  to  them  as  can  help  'em;  but  once  it  's 
over,  you  '11  find  they  're  mighty  stiff-necked." 

I  did  n't  expect  to  see  any  one  who  was  on 
board ;  but  thought  I  would  like  to  have  a  look  at 
the  yacht.     She  's  the  finest  craft  I  ever  saw." 

"  You  're  right  there,  lad.      I  don't  reckon  such 


134  Lobster  Catchers. 

as  she  comes  round  Jordan's  Point  often;  but 
there  's  many  of  'em  put  in  here  during  the  summer 
season  for  coal  an'  provisions.  How  long  before 
you  're  off  ?  " 

"  Right  away.  We  've  got  to  take  on  a  little 
more  coal,  that  's  all." 

"  Burned  a  good  bit  yesterday  ?  " 

"  Yes;  much  as  two  tons." 

"  That  won't  count  in  a  matter  of  salvage  like 
you  've  got  in  hand.  Pick  up  a  couple  more  craft 
like  the  white  yacht,  an'  youcan  afford  to  let  some- 
body else  buy  lobsters." 

Stephen  returned  to  the  Sprite,  wondering  why  it 
was  that  every  one  spoke  of  the  amount  of  money 
to  be  made  by  towing  the  Vera  into  port,  while  no 
one  had  a  thought  that  the  rescuing  might  have 
been  effected  simply  from  the  desire  to  save  human 
life. 

As  soon  as  such  a  breakfast  as  Captain  Ike 
thought  fit  to  prepare  had  been  eaten,  the  steamer 
was  run  around  to  the  coal  docks,  the  bunkers  once 
more  filled,  and  the  old  fisherman  gave  the  signal 
for  starting  without  having  advised  with  his  partner 
as  to  the  course  they  should  steer. 

"  Where  are  you  bound  for  ?  "  the  lad  asked 
through  the  speaking-tube,  as  the  steamer  left  the 
harbor  before  Captain  Skillings  had  made  his  ap- 
pearance. 


A  Matter  of  Salvage.  135 

"  Any  out-of-the-way  place  among  the  islands. 
It  don't  make  much  difference,  for  I  'm  told  we  're 
likely  to  do  a  good  business,  seein'  's  most  of  the 
smacks  have  gone  down  toward  the  Provinces. 
The  pity  of  it  is,  that  we  have  n't  got  money 
enough  to  buy  what  will  fill  the  tank." 

"  Don't  look  at  it  in  that  light,"  Stephen  replied, 
with  a  laugh.  "  Remember,  if  I  had  succeeded  in 
mortgaging  the  farm,  we  should  have  started  out 
with  twenty  dollars  only,  whereas  now  we  've  got 
one  hundred  and  thirty." 

"  Ay,  lad,  an'  that  matter  of  a  salvage  to  look 
forward  to  for  the  future.  Oh,  we  've  begun  in 
great  shape;  but  the  fear  is  that  we  sha'n't  hold  out 
a  very  long  while." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PIRATES. 

IT  can  well  be  fancied  that  Stephen  Jordan  was  in 
a  very  cheerful  frame  of  mind  when  the  Sprite 
was  under  full  steam  once  more. 

He  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that, 
during  the  short  time  since  the  partnership  between 
himself  and  Captain  Ike  was  agreed  upon,  they  had 
performed  at  least  one  worthy  deed,  besides  having 
earned  through  the  "  lobster  scheme  "  a  very  hand- 
some sum  of  money,  considering  the  length  of  the 
cruise. 

Now  the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Dyer  had  a  larger  capi- 
tal ;  stood  high  in  the  esteem  of  the  man  who  had 
fitted  them  out,  and  they  were  starting  on  the 
second  cruise  in  a  most  satisfactory  fashion. 

The  affair  with  the  Vera  had,  for  the  time,  en- 
tirely driven  from  Stephen's  mind  all  fear  of  what 
Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  might  succeed  in  doing; 
but  now,  when  the  future  looked  so  bright,  and  he 
was  beyond  reach  of  his  uncle,  he  began  to  be 
troubled  lest  the  latter  might  hit  upon  some  method 
of  preventing  him  from  continuing  in  the  business. 

It  was  with  this  possibility  in  his  thoughts  that 
136 


Pirates.  137 

he  whistled  through  the  tube  to  attract  Captain  Ike's 
attention. 

"  What  's  the  matter  ?  "  the  old  fisherman  cried 
in  a  tone  of  apprehension. 

"  I  forgot  to  ask  if  you  saw  or  heard  of  Uncle 
Joshua  while  you  were  in  the  warehouse  ?  " 

Now,  look  here,  Stephen;  are  you  botherin' 
your  head  about  that  old  curmudgeon  at  a  time 
when  things  are  movin'  in  sich  great  shape  ?  " 

I  can't  help  wondering  if  he  is  still  bent  on  try- 
ing to  prevent  me  from  running  this  business." 

Seein'  's  how  you  've  started  it  in  fine  style,  I 
can't  well  see  how  he  '11  be  able  to  put  any  spokes 
in  your  wheels." 

But  did  you  hear  anything  about  him  ?  " 
Stephen  persisted. 

"  Well,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  must  say  I  did  stumble 
on  to  a  little  that  was  n't  much  to  his  credit." 

Is  he  trying  to  prevent  me  from  running  the 
Sprite  ?  " 

What  's  the  sense  of  botherin'  your  head  about 
him,  when  every  thin'  is  workin'  slick  as  grease  ?  " 

I  shall  feel  easier  in  mind  if  you  tell  me  all 
than  if  I  spent  the  time  guessing  what  he  may  be 
doing." 

Perhaps  you  're  right,  lad,  though  I  did  n't 
count  on  sayin'  so  much  as  a  word.  It  seems  that 
he   dropped  in  to  see  Captain  Skillin's  yesterday, 


138  Lobster  Catchers. 

an'  made  what  he  called  a  protest  against  your  goin' 
into  business  without  his  consent;  but  from  all  I 
can  hear,  he  got  a  fine  dressin'  down,  an'  it  won't 
be  safe  for  him  to  tackle  the  old  man,  now  we  've 
brought  in  what  '11  fetch  somethin'  big  in  the  way 
of  salvage." 

More  than  this  Captain  Ike  could  not  say.  He 
had  gained  his  information  from  one  of  the  porters 
at  the  warehouse,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  had 
heard  the  story  in  a  general  way,  bare  of  all  details 
save  that  Captain  Skillings  had  rated  the  Deacon 
soundly  for  venturing  to  meddle  in  what  was  mani- 
festly none  of  his  business. 

Stephen  was  seriously  disturbed  in  mind  at  thus 
learning  that  his  uncle  was  still  bent  on  assuming 
the  right  to  dictate  as  to  the  movements  of  his 
nephew;  and  the  lad  realized  full  well  that  his 
mother  would  have  more  than  one  unpleasant  inter- 
view with  her  brother  before  he  could  see  her  again. 

"  It  can't  be  helped,"  he  said,  half  to  himself, 
after  a  long  interval  of  reflection,  during  which  time 
his  eyes  had  been  fixed  upon  the  swiftly  moving 
machinery  without  really  seeing  it.  "  My  only  show 
to  steer  clear  of  him  is  by  making  good  wages  at 
this  business,  so  I  can  buy  whatever  mother  and  the 
children  may  need  during  the  winter,  and  trusting 
that  Captain  Skillings  will  stand  by  me.  If  the 
Sprite  earns  money  for  him,  he  won't  be  inclined 


Pirates.  139 

to  listen  to  what  Uncle  Joshua  may  say;  but  if  we 
come  to  a  failure  with  it " 

He  did  not  finish  the  sentence;  the  possibility 
that  he  might  be  forced  to  remain  idle  at  the  farm 
during  the  long  winter  was  more  disagreeable  than 
he  could  well  contemplate,  and  the  lad  tried  to  dis- 
miss it  by  busying  himself  with  cleaning  the  little 
cabin  where  it  was  to  be  hoped  he  and  Captain  Ike 
might  spend  many  pleasantly  profitable  days. 

There  had  been  so  much  to  think  about  since  the 
signal  of  distress  from  the  Vera  had  been  sighted 
that  Stephen  gave  little  heed  as  to  where  this  second 
cruise  might  end ;  and  even  now,  when  they  were 
well  on  their  way,  he  had  no  idea  as  to  the  destina- 
tion. 

One  port  would  please  him  as  well  as  another, 
providing  it  should  be  possible  to  purchase  lobsters 
when  they  next  dropped  anchor;  and  perhaps  he 
might  not  have  asked  a  single  question  of  Captain 
Ike  regarding  the  Sprite  s  course  had  he  not  chanced 
to  notice,  through  the  engine-room  window,  that  the 
little  steamer  was  swinging  around,  as  if  bent  on 
making  a  complete  circuit  of  the  bay. 

Where  are  you  bearing  for,  Captain  Ike  ?  "  he 
shouted,  and  the  old  man  replied : 

I  had  an  idee  of  lookin'  in  at  Tom  Dawson's." 

"  What  's  that  for  ?     He  won't  sell  us  lobsters." 
I  'm  not  so  certain  he  won't,  lad.     Because  a 


140  Lobster  Catchers. 

man  happens  to  be  well  fixed  in  business,  there  's 
no  reason  why  he  is  n't  willin'  to  finger  a  dollar  now 
an'  then." 

"  But  he  sells  direct  to  the  wholesalers,  does  n't 
he  ?" 

"  Ay,  lad;  but  what  's  to  hinder  his  lettin'  us 
have  a  thousand  or  so,  if  we  can  come  near  enough 
to  the  market  price  ?  Besides,  I  've  a  hankerin'  to 
see  his  farm." 

Stephen  had  also  been  curious  regarding  this 
"  farm  "  of  Tom  Dawson's,  for  it  was  a  bold  exper- 
iment, already  proven  reasonably  successful.  But 
there  were  many  fishermen  and  dwellers  along 
shore  who  claimed  it  was  neither  more  nor  less 
than  "  tempting  Providence  "  to  make  any  ef- 
fort at  raising  lobsters  as  one  would  chickens  or 
ducks. 

This  novel  farm  was  situated  on  the  banks  of — 
and  in — a  long,  narrow  cove  or  strait,  which  ran 
fully  a  quarter  of  a  mile  inland  on  the  south  side  of 
an  island  which  overlooks  one  of  the  minor  summer 
resorts.  The  buildings  were  neither  extensive  nor 
pretentious,  for  this  "  farming  "  was  carried  on 
during  the  warm  season  only,  and  cool,  airy  quarters 
for  the  proprietor  were  more  desirable  than  an 
ordinary  dwelling. 

Tom  Dawson  had  conceived  the  idea  that  lobsters 
might  be  kept  an  indefinite  length  of  time  without 


Pirates.  141 

fear  of  their  preying  upon  each  other  if  some 
arrangement  could  be  made  to  give  them  ample 
space. 

In  a  narrow  car,  where  they  were  crowded  one 
upon  the  other,  their  pugnacious  and  cannibal-like 
instincts  could  be  easily  aroused ;  but  in  a  spacious 
water-way,  which  would  be  partially  drained  by  the 
tide  twice  each  day,  the  conditions  must  be  more 
favorable  for  peace. 

It  was  not  the  real  hope  of  this  farmer  that  he 
might  actually  succeed  in  raising  "  broods  "  of 
young  lobsters,  although  he  had  been  heard  to  de- 
clare that  he  saw  no  good  reason  why  it  might  not 
be  done. 

Dawson  had  found  an  ideal  spot  for  his  experi- 
ment. The  long  cove  at  low  tide  had  in  it  no  more 
than  twelve  inches  of  water,  and  during  such  times 
it  would  be  a  simple  matter  for  the  proprietor  to 
wade  from  one  end  to  the  other,  picking  up,  by  aid 
of  a  scoop-net,  such  of  his  "  stock  "  as  he  desired 
to  send  to  market. 

Across  the  seaward  end  of  this  cove,  and  as  high 
up  on  the  shores  as  the  tide  flowed,  he  had  built  a 
stout  fence,  much  the  same  as  may  be  seen  on  any 
well-kept  farm,  and  against  which  the  waves  would 
not  beat  with  much  force  because  of  the  island  half 
a  mile  away  that  served  as  a  breakwater. 

His  first  season's  work  had  been  a  mild  success; 


142  Lobster  Catchers. 

at  least,  no  one  could  say  it  was  a  failure,  and  Tom 
Dawson  appeared  well  content  with  the  profit  de- 
rived from  it. 

It  was  now  near  the  close  of  the  second  year,  and 
envious  fishermen  told  wonderful  tales  of  the  herds 
of  lobsters  which  he  had  close  to  his  hand,  in  con- 
dition to  be  rushed  upon  the  market  when  prices 
ruled  high. 

The  great  reason,  aside  from  a  very  natural 
curiosity,  why  Stephen  had  been  eager  to  see  this 

farm"  was  that,  in  his  scheme  of  carrying  on  the 
lobster  business  extensively,  had  been  a  dim  idea 
that  at  some  time  in  the  far  future  he  might  be  able 
to  build  a  similar  yard  in  which  to  safely  keep  his 
purchases  when  prices  were  down  ;  and  on  the 
homestead  farm,  within  a  short  distance  of  the  red 
shanty,  was  a  small  harbor  which  offered  every 
natural  advantage  for  the  operation. 

Therefore  the  lad  watched  eagerly  from  the 
engine-room  window  during  every  leisure  moment, 
until  Captain  Ike  shouted  through  the  tube : 

"There  's  Dawson's  straight  ahead!  If  he  's 
home,  it  won't  take  us  long  to  find  out  whether  a 
trade  can  be  made,  and  we  should  be  willin'  to 
spend  a  few  minutes  lookin'  around  the  place,  even 
though  there  's  no  profit  in  it." 

Leaning  far  out  of  the  window,  Stephen  could 
see  the  buildings  of  the  lobster  farm ;  but  not  the 


Pirates.  143 

famous  enclosure  which  was  said  to  be  "  packed  " 
with  stock  of  enormous  size. 

On  a  small,  rocky  bluff  was  a  neat-looking  camp 
with  a  broad  veranda,  backed  by  a  growth  of  oak 
trees,  and  a  short  distance  away  stood  the  store- 
house and  workshop  of  the  enterprising  proprietor. 

"  The  yard  is  on  the  other  side  of  the  trees," 
Captain  Ike  cried  by  way  of  explanation.  "  We  '11 
come  to  anchor  here,  an'  then  he  won't  get  the  idee 
that  we  've  put  in  thinkin'  to  buy  a  cargo." 

Ten  minutes  later  the  Sprite  was  swinging  to  her 
anchor  in  twelve  feet  of  water,  and,  after  the  fire 
was  banked,  the  partners  went  ashore  in  the 
steamer's  skiff. 

Tom  Dawson  was  seated  on  the  platform  of  the 
storehouse  knitting  "  heads,"  or,  in  other  words, 
the  ends  of  lobster-pots. 

A  trap,  or  "  pot,"  as  it  is  termed,  consists  of  a 
flat  floor  or  bottom,  with  a  top  formed  in  a  half 
circle,  the  whole  constructed  of  narrow  strips  of 
wood,  or  laths,  fastened  two  inches  or  more  apart, 
and  looking  not  unlike  some  uncouth  bird  cage.  At 
the  top  of  this  is  a  door  held  in  place  by  small  bars, 
fashioned  for  the  purpose  of  allowing  the  fisherman 
to  remove  his  "  catch."  The  ends  are  of  stout 
twine,  knitted  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  with  an  aper- 
ture five  or  six  inches  in  diameter,  and  extending 
inside  the  trap. 


144  Lobster  Catchers. 

On  being  set  in  place  beneath  the  surface,  the  pot 
remains  in  proper  position  because  of  the  rocks  with 
which  it  is  weighted,  and  fresh  fish  are  suspended 
from  the  upper'  bars  in  such  a  manner  that  the  lob- 
sters can  get  at  them  only  by  entering  through 
the  "  heads."  Once  here,  the  clumsy  fish  is  trapped, 
for  he  cannot  raise  his  heavy  body  to  gain  the 
opening  of  the  head  in  order  to  find  a  means  of  exit. 

The  proprietor  of  the  farm  had  failed  to  observe 
their  coming,  so  intent  was  he  upon  his  work;  but 
he  looked  up  with  something  like  unpleasant  sur- 
prise when  Captain  Ike  hailed  him  in  a  hurricane 
voice. 

On  seeing  who  were  his  visitors,  the  expression 
on  Dawson's  face  changed  suddenly,  and  he  cried 
cheerily : 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  Captain  Ike!  When  you 
hailed,  I  thought  it  was  another  raft  of  summer 
visitors,  an'  with  such  as  they  I  'm  pestered  nigh  to 
death.  Put  a  drove  of  foolish  men  an'  silly  women 
around  this  farm,  an'  a  man  who  has  n't  overly 
much  time  on  his  hands  to  waste  is  at  his  wit's 
ends." 

"  I  reckon  we  sha'n't  give  you  very  much  bother 
in  the  way  of  askin'  questions;  but  we  've  come 
for  a  look  at  the  farm,"  the  old  fisherman  said, 
gravely,  as  he  shook  hands  with  the  lobster  farmer. 
Then,  motioning  with  his  thumb  toward  Stephen, 


Pirates.  145 

he  added:  "  This  'ere  is  Ben  Jordan's  son;  him  as 
has  been  tryin'  to  run  the  homestead,  an'  has  given 
up  the  job  to  be  partner  with  me." 

"  How  are  you,  lad  ?  "  Mr.  Dawson  asked,  care- 
lessly, and,  resuming  his  seat  and  his  work,  he  con- 
tinued, "  What  have  you  an'  he  gone  into  by  way 
of  business,  Captain  Ike  ?  " 

"  Buyin'  lobsters.  We  're  runnin'  Skillin's' 
Sprite  on  our  own  account,  an'  seein'  's  we  had  to 
come  close  by,  I  thought  the  lad  might  like  a  squint 
at  your  farm." 

"  There  ain't  overly  much  to  see;  but  you  're 
welcome  to  moon  round  anywhere.  There  's  a 
bite  of  fresh  mackerel  up  at  the  camp." 

"  We  ain't  hungry.     How  's  fishin'  ?  " 

"  Only  fair.     What  are  lobsters  worth  ?  " 

"  Eighteen  dollars  last  night;  but  likely  to  drop 
a  little  within  the  next  eight  an'  forty  hours." 

"  That  is  n't  bad,"  Mr.  Dawson  said,  reflectively; 
and  Stephen  began  to  hope  it  might  be  possible  to 
get  a  cargo  from  the  farmer,  even  though  he  did 
carry  on  the  business  so  extensively. 

"  It  's  better  than  ordinary,  an'  that  's  a  fact," 
Captain  Ike  replied.  "  We  bought  BenWillis's  catch 
yesterday  for  thirteen  dollars." 

That  's  a  good  price  for  lobsters  at  Seal  Har- 
bor." 

"  Yes,  an'  it  made  a  fair  trade  for  the  lad  an'  me. 


146  Lobster  Catchers. 

We  're  ready  to  turn  the  nimble  sixpence  at  any 
time,  rather  than  wait  for  the  slow  shilling.  Who  's 
that  alongside  the  Sprite  ?  "  and  Captain  Ike  pointed 
toward  a  half-dozen  young  men  or  boys  who  had 
made  a  small  sail-boat  fast  to  the  steamer. 

"  More  summer  visitors,  I  reckon.  They  can't 
help  lookin'  at  your  craft,  just  because  she  happens 
to  be  in  their  way.  It  would  be  worth  a  good  hun- 
dred dollars  to  me  if  I  'd  located  this  farm  in  some 
place  where  every  Tom,  Dick,  an'  Harry  could  n't 
find  me.  The  property  is  overrun  from  mornin' 
till  night  with  such  as  them ;  but  they  won't  do  the 
smack  any  harm  while  we  're  so  near." 

"  You  would  n't  be  likely  to  find  a  spot  such  as 
this  anywhere  else  so  near  the  market." 

"  That  does  n't  cut  any  great  figger,  seein'  's  how 
I  don't  dare  to  go  up  to  town  with  a  cargo  unless  I 
can  leave  a  caretaker  here  ;  otherwise  there  's  a 
chance  these  summer  visitors  would  lug  away  the 
whole  outfit." 

This  appeared  to  be  Captain  Ike's  opportunity, 
and  he  seized  upon  it  at  once  by  saying  with 
studied  carelessness: 

"  Why  not  make  a  trade  with  some  of  the  smacks 
to  carry  your  lobsters  up  now  and  then  ?  " 

"  I  '11  have  to  do  somethin'  of  the  kind  till  after 
these  'ere  pleasure  seekers  have  been  driven  off  by 
the  frost." 


Pirates.  147 

"  Then  we  've  come  just  in  time!  "  and  Captain 
Ike  appeared  to  be  pleasurably  surprised.  "  What 
kind  of  a  dicker  do  you  want  to  make  ?  " 

"  What  '11  you  give  me  for  a  thousand  prime 
lobsters  ?" 

"  Are  they  in  cars  ?  " 

"  No;  but  we  can  take  out  that  many  in  one 
tide." 

"  Do  you  count  on  our  doin'  a  full  share  of  the 
work  ?  " 

"  Well,  yes,  seem'  's  how  it  would  take  me 
twenty-four  hours  to  get  that  many  together." 

"  We  'd  be  called  on  to  lay  here  till  to-morrow 
mornin',  perhaps,  at  that  rate,"  the  old  man  said, 
reflectively. 

"  I  don't  reckon  that  would  do  you  any  harm." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it;  but  we  'd  be  losin'  just  so 
much  good  time  when  we  might  be  makin'  more 
dollars." 

"  What  '11  you  pay  for  fifteen  hundred,  an'  help 
take  them  out  of  the  yard  ?  " 

"  Why  not  make  it  two  thousand  ?  " 

"  But  we  have  n't  the  money  to  pay  for  so  many, 
Captain  Ike,"  Stephen  interrupted  in  a  low  tone, 
overhearing  which,  Tom  Dawson  said  promptly : 

I  ain't  hungry  after  the  cash.  If  you  're 
sailin'  for  Captain  Sam  Skillin's,  give  me  an  order 
on  him,  an'  it  '11   suit  me." 


148  Lobster  Catchers. 

Captain  Ike  appeared  to  be  lost  in  study  for  two 
or  three  minutes,  during  which  time  Dawson 
knitted  industriously,  and  Stephen  mentally  hugged 
himself,  for  it  seemed  certain  some  kind  of  a  bar- 
gain would  be  made  whereby  they  might  take  in  a 
full  cargo  with  but  little  cruising. 

The  curious  visitors  were  evidently  on  the  point 
of  departing,  and  he  no  longer  had  any  fear  they 
might  do  the  little  steamer  a  mischief. 

"  We  '11  give  fifteen  dollars  a  hundred  for  two 
thousand  full-sized  lobsters,  we  to  help  take  'em, 
an'  we  '11  pay  a  hundred  dollars  down,  with  an 
order  on  Captain  Skillin's  for  the  balance,"  the  old 
fisherman  finally  said,  with  a  sigh,  as  if  it  had  cost 
him  a  great  effort  to  be  so  generous. 

Dawson  shook  his  head. 

It  ain't  enough.  That  would  be  givin'  you  a 
profit  of  three  dollars  a  hundred  for  less  'n  a  day's 
work." 

"  But  we  're  runnin'  the  risk  that  prices  have 
gone  down,  which  is  quite  a  chance.  See  here, 
Tom  Dawson,  you  can't  market  two  thousand  lob- 
sters within  the  next  three  days,  unless  you  take 
some  such  offer  as  ours;  an'  by  then  I  '11  go  bail 
you  won't  get  what  we  're  willin'  to  give,  let  alone 
the  fact  that  you  '11  have  done  a  pile  of  hard  work, 
an'  have  n't  pulled  what  pots  you  've  got  set." 

It   was    not    to    be    expected    that    these    two 


Pirates.  149 

fishermen  would  conclude  a  bargain  of  such  magni- 
tude without  considerable  haggling;  and  Stephen 
hugged  his  knees  in  order  to  control  his  patience  the 
better  while  the  details  of  the  transaction  were 
being  arranged. 

Finally,  and  when  nearly  half  an  hour  had  been 
spent  in  argument,  which  perhaps  had  no  weight 
with  either  party,  Tom  Dawson  flung  down  his 
knitting  as  he  said  : 

I  '11  take  up  with  the  offer,  Captain  Ike,  just 
for  the  sake  of  dealin'  with  you.  Pull  the  steamer 
round  to  the  yard,  an'  we  '11  set  about  loadin'  her." 

Stephen  did  not  wait  to  hear  more.  He  realized 
that  the  task  of  collecting  the  lobsters,  even  though 
they  were  in  a  yard,  would  be  a  long  one,  and  was 
eager  to  be  at  it  without  further  loss  of  time. 

He  had  launched  the  skiff  when  Captain  Ike 
gained  the  shore,  and  as  the  two  were  rowing 
toward  the  Sprite  the  old  fisherman  said,  with  a 
chuckle  of  satisfaction : 

"It  's  a  rare  good  trade  we  've  made,  lad,  al- 
though it  '11  cost  us  a  long  spell  of  hard  work. 
Even  if  the  price  has  gone  down  a  dollar  on  the 
hundred  by  the  time  we  get  back  to  port,  it  '11  be  a 
profit  of  forty  dollars,  less  what  the  coal  has  cost." 

"I'm  not  afraid  of  the  work;  but  I  hope  we  won't 
have  to  wait  here  more  than  one  tide,  for  we  ought 
to  be  at  the  dock  to-morrow  morning." 


150  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Right  you  are,  my  boy;  an'  we  '11  see  to  it  that 
there  's  no  loafin'  on  our  part." 

The  Sprite  s  anchor  was  raised ;  there  yet  re- 
mained sufficient  steam  to  carry  her  around  the 
point,  and  within  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  little 
steamer  was  moored  just  outside  the  gate  which 
gave  admission  to  small  boats;  while  less  than  half 
a  mile  away  could  be  seen  the  sailing  craft  with  her 
crew  of  idlers. 

Tom  Dawson  was  quite  as  eager  as  his  visitors  to 
have  the  work  done  in  the  shortest  possible  time, 
and  the  Sprite  was  no  sooner  at  anchor  than  he 
came  up  in  a  dory  containing  three  long-handled 
scoop-nets. 

"  Better  take  your  skiff  inside  with  mine,  an' 
then  while  one  craft  is  bein'  unloaded  the  work  of 
catchin'  can  be  goin'  on,"  he  said,  stopping  at  the 
steamer's  side  long  enough  to  take  a  look  around. 

Captain  Ike  and  Stephen  were  pulling  on  oiled 
clothing  and  rubber  boots  preparatory  to  wading 
around  the  pound,  and  the  former  cried  cheerily: 

"  We  '11  be  wantin'  to  get  under  way  within  two 
minutes  after  the  cargo  is  aboard,  so  s'pose  we 
'tend  to  the  money  part  now.  Of  course,  we  're 
bound  to  find  two  thousand  lobsters  in  there " 

"  There  are  three  times  as  many." 

"  Write  out  an  order  on  Captain  Skillin's  for 
what  the  lot  will  come  to,  less  the  hundred  dollars, 


Pirates.  151 

Stephen,  an'  our  end  of  the  trade  will  be  wound 
up." 

The  lad  obeyed  by  first  taking  the  money  from 
the  canvas  bag,  which,  with  the  remainder  of  their 
capital,  he  replaced  in  the  locker,  and  then,  with  a 
lead  pencil  instead  of  a  pen,  he  wrote  on  a  piece  of 
wrapping-paper : 

"Captain  S.  SKILLINGS :  Will  you  please  pay 
Tom  Dawson  two  hundred  dollars  for  lobsters 
we  're  going  to  deliver  to  you  ? 

(Signed)    "  Stephen  Jordan." 

Captain  Ike  added  his  signature,  and  Dawson  said, 
as  he  folded  the  insignificant-looking  piece  of  paper 
and  rolled  it  with  the  bank-notes: 

"  I  allow  that  '11  serve  me  as  well  as  the  cash,  be- 
cause Sam  Skillin's  never  keeps  a  man  waitin'  for 
what  's  due  him.  Now,  let  's  get  to  work;  I  '11 
raise  the  gate,  an'  we  '11  take  both  boats  in." 

It  was  much  like  catching  crabs,  to  fish  for  lob- 
sters in  such  shallow  water,  and  Stephen  enjoyed  it 
until  his  arms  ached  and  every  joint  felt  sore;  after 
which  he  shut  his  teeth  tightly,  encouraging  himself 
to  continue  the  work  by  thinking  of  the  money  to 
be  earned. 

Once  he  saw  the  sail-boat  close  alongside  the 
Sprite  ;  but  he  gave  little  heed  to  the  fact,  because 
it  hardly  seemed  probable  the  curious  ones  would 


152  Lobster  Catchers. 

venture  on  board  while  he  and  Captain  Ike  were  so 
near  at  hand. 

When  the  dory  was  rilled  with  green,  uncouth- 
looking  shellfish,  Stephen  pulled  her  outside  the 
gate,  and  began  the  task  of  unloading  into  the 
Sprite ' s  tank,  keeping  careful  count  as  he  did  so. 

That  Tom  Dawson  had  not  boasted  unduly 
as  to  the  number  of  lobsters  in  his  pound  could 
readily  be  seen  when  the  catchers  were  well  at  work. 

Each  net  was  brought  up  with  from  two  to  six  or 
seven  struggling  captives,  and,  as  Captain  Ike  said 
gleefully,  it  was  a  "  case  of  bailin'  instead  of  nettin' 
em. 

The  task  did  not  prove  to  be  as  long  as  Stephen 
had  feared,  and  although  the  tide  turned  before  it 
came  to  an  end,  the  water  was  not  uncomfortably 
high  when  two  thousand,  with  an  hundred  thrown 
in  for  "  good  count,"  had  been  deposited  on  board 
the  Sprite. 

It  was  yet  daylight ;  but  the  sun  had  already  dis- 
appeared behind  the  mainland,  and  Captain  Ike 
said  cheerily,  as  he  secured  the  hatch  of  the  tank : 

"  Now,  then,  lad,  get  her  under  way  in  short 
order,  an'  we  '11  spend  this  night  at  the  dock. 
We  '11  give  you  another  call  within  a  week,  Daw- 
son, if  there  is  n't  too  much  money  lost  by  this 
trade." 

"  You  've  made  a  precious  good  day's  work,  an' 


Pirates.  153 

perhaps  it  has  n't  been  a  bad  one  for  me,"  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  farm  cried,  as  he  rowed  around  the 
point  toward  his  dwelling.  "I  '11  be  glad  to  see 
you  any  time,  whether  we  strike  a  bargain  or  not." 

Then  the  Sprite  was  gotten  under  way,  and 
Stephen  set  about  preparing  something  in  the  way 
of  supper,  for  it  would  be  a  good  three-hours  run 
back  to  the  city. 

While  engaged  in  this  work  it  so  chanced  that  he 
opened  the  locker  in  which  had  been  placed  the 
canvas  cash-bag,  and  an  exclamation  of  dismay 
burst  from  his  lips. 

A  moment  later  he  was  standing  at  the  window 
of  the  pilot-house,  holding  up  the  empty  bag,  that 
Captain  Ike  might  see  it,  as  he  cried : 

"  There  was  twenty-two  dollars  in  it  after  I  'd 
taken  out  the  hundred  for  Dawson,  and  every  cent 
is  gone !  Those  fellows  who  laid  alongside  the 
steamer  while  you  made  the  trade  for  our  cargo 
were  pirates,  that  's  what  they  were!  " 


CHAPTER  X. 

STRAIGHTENING   ACCOUNTS. 

CAPTAIN  IKE  gazed  at  Stephen  as  if  unable 
to  realize  what   the  lad  had  said,   and  the 
latter  cried  vehemently: 

"  Can't  you  understand  me  ?  Can't  you  see  that 
the  bag  is  empty  ?  We  had  one  hundred  and  thirty 
dollars  this  morning,  and  paid  out  eight  for  coal. 
I  gave  Mr.  Dawson  a  hundred,  and  now  there  is  n't 
a  penny  left!  " 

"  But  where  's  it  gone,  lad  ?  Surely,  I  have  n't 
touched  it,"  and  the  old  fisherman  looked  be- 
wildered. 

"  Of  course  you  did  n't  touch  it!  It  was  those 
fellows  who  came  alongside — the  ones  Mr.  Dawson 
said  were  summer  visitors." 

Do  you  mean  to  say  they  reg'larly  stole  it  ?  " 
and  now  Captain  Ike  appeared  to  realize  what  his 
partner  had  been  trying  to  tell  him. 

"  What  else  could  you  call  it  than  stealing  ? 
They  were  pirates !  Mr.  Dawson  said  they  would  n't 
do  any  harm,  but  it  tried  me  to  see  them  fooling 
around  the  steamer,  and  I  would  have  gone  down 
to  make  certain  things  were  right  if  it  had  n't  been 

i54 


Straightening  Accounts.  155 

that  I  wanted  to  hear  how  you  was  coming  out  with 
the  trade.  The  money  is  gone,  and  we  're  pretty 
near  back  where  we  started  from!  It  's  gone,  be- 
cause I  did  n't  take  care  of  it;  and  I  'm  as  much  to 
blame  as  the  pirates!  " 

"  Now,  see  here,  lad,  there  's  no  need  of  your 
carryin'  on  like  this.  Blamin'  yourself  won't  bring 
the  money  back;  an'  I  '11  answer  for  it  before  any 
man  in  this  country  that  you  've  been  as  careful  as 
a  boy  well  could  be — a  good  deal  more  so  than 
many  a  man  I  've  sailed  with." 

"  It  does  n't  make  any  difference  how  careful  I  've 
been,  if  I  allowed  our  money  to  be  stolen." 

"  You  did  n't  allow  it,  lad;  don't  go  to  blamin' 
yourself  for  what  neither  of  us  could  help,  unless 
we  had  been  a  deal  more  suspicious  than  people 
generally  are.  Who  would  have  thought  that  sum- 
mer visitors  would  have  gone  aboard  a  lobster-smack 
to  steal  money  ?  " 

"  That  's  just  what  they  did  do,"  Stephen  cried, 
as  if  angry  because  his  partner  seemed  for  a  moment 
to  question  the  fact.  "  Here  we  have  been  brag- 
ging about  our  profit,  and  sitting  still  on  shore 
watching  folks  while  it  was  being  stolen !  " 

"It  's  pretty  tough,"  Captain  Ike  said,  reflec- 
tively, feeling  more  sorrow  because  of  his  partner's 
grief  than  on  account  of  the  loss.  "It  's  pretty 
tough,  lad ;  but  don't  you  give  way  to  what  's  only 


156  Lobster  Catchers. 

a  triflin'  trouble.  A  thief  or  a  pirate,  whatever 
way  you  've  a  mind  to  call  him,  ain't  a  cheerful  kind 
of  a  thing  to  look  at;  but  all  the  same  he  does  you 
less  harm  than  many  another  who  calls  himself 
honest.  We  've  lost  twenty-two  dollars,  that 's  cer- 
tain, if,  as  you  say,  the  bag  is  empty." 

Look  at  it  for  yourself,"  and  Stephen  threw  the 
crumpled  canvas  through  the  window. 

I  ain't  a  questionin'  of  it,  lad,  I  ain't  a  ques- 
tionin'  of  it,"  the  old  man  said,  soothingly;  "  but 
I  'm  tryin'  to  show  as  how  you  might  come  up 
against  a  good  many  troubles  that  would  be  worse. 
The  money  's  gone,  an'  we  ain't  what  you  might  call 
to  blame;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  things  could 
have  gone  so  wrong  with  us  in  the  fault  as  to  make 
this  seem  like  a  cheerful  little  happenin'.  Don't  set 
me  down  as  sayin'  that  I  ain't  carin'  about  it;  but 
I  want  you  to  look  at  the  matter  in  the  right  light. 
It  's  hard  fortune ;  but  somethin'  that  we  've  got  to 
bear  up  under  like  men.  Twenty-two  dollars  is  n't 
such  a  dreadful  sight  of  money  to  the  greater  run 
of  people;  but  while  it  means  a  good  deal  to  us  just 
at  this  stage  of  the  game,  we  can  pull  through. 
Here  's  a  profit  on  this  'ere  cargo,  as  I  reckon  it, 
hard  on  to  sixty  dollars.  That  will  wipe  out  the 
loss,  an'  leave  us  with  a  good-sized  balance,  con- 
siderin'  the  time  we  've  been  to  work." 

"  What  do  you  suppose  Captain  Skillings  will  say 


Straightening  Accounts.  157 

when  he  finds  that  the  two  he  has  trusted  with  his 
steamer,  and  loaned  capital  to  begin  business,  can't 
so  much  as  take  care  of  their  money  ? " 

"  What  Captain  Skillin's  may  say  is  somethin' 
I  ain't  botherin'  my  head  about.  Look  you,  lad; 
this  'ere  piracy  don't  concern  him,  for  we  '11  charge 
our  two  selves  with  what  has  been  stolen,  an'  I  ain't 
called  upon  to  come  up  an'  explain  what  's  done 
with  every  dollar  that  's  mine.  We  turn  over  this 
cargo.  Say  that  you  put  out  a  hundred  dollars  in 
cash,  an'  gave  an  order  on  him  for  twice  that  amount. 
He  '11  pay  us  for  the  load,  holdin'  back  so  much  as 
that  'ere  writin'  you  give  Tom  Dawson  represents. 
Then  we  start  out  agin',  an'  instead  of  whinin'  about 
twenty-two  dollars  the  scoundrels  have  stolen  we 
keep  a  stiff  upper  lip.  Now,  look  you,  things  might 
be  so  much  worse,  as  I  've  already  said,  as  to  make 
this  seem  like  nothin'.  Go  back  an'  get  supper; 
put  it  out  of  your  mind  so  far  as  you  can  by  thinkin' 
that  's  it  's  no  more  'n  a  day's  work  thrown  away, 
with  our  bein'  obliged  to  give  Captain  Skillin's  his 
share.  I  don't  lose  sight  of  the  salvage  that  's 
comin'  for  the  saving  of  the  Vera,  an'  twenty-two 
dollars  won't  be  a  flea-bite  alongside  of  that,  with 
the  owner  of  the  Sprite  to  carry  the  business 
through." 

Stephen  was  silenced,  but  not  convinced  that  it 
was  a  duty  he  owed  himself  and  his  partner  to  cease 


158  Lobster  Catchers. 

repining  at  the  loss ;  and  he  went  into  the  engine- 
room  as  disconsolate,  for  the  time  being,  as  if  some- 
thing had  occurred  to  prevent  him  from  carrying 
through  the  scheme  of  buying  and  selling  lobsters. 

After  perhaps  half  an  hour  had  passed,  however, 
by  thinking  over  the  possibilities  he  grew  more 
cheerful. 

As  Captain  Ike  said,  the  money  stolen  had  been 
earned ;  it  was  their  own  to  lose,  and  the  pirates 
might  have  committed  the  theft  while  that  belong- 
ing to  Captain  Skillings  was  yet  in  the  bag. 

In  fact,  there  were  a  dozen  disasters,  each  tenfold 
worse  than  this,  that  might  have  come  upon  them 
at  the  outset  of  their  business  career;  and,  finally 
understanding  such  fact,  the  lad  became  sufficiently 
resigned  to  attend  to  his  duties  in  proper  fashion. 

After  caring  for  the  machinery  in  such  manner  as 
to  assure  himself  that  he  might  leave  the  engine- 
room  for  a  short  time  with  safety,  he  carried  as 
bountiful  a  supper  as  could  be  made  up  from  their 
scanty  stores  to  the  helmsman,  saying,  as  he  entered 
the  wheel-house : 

"  I  '11  try  to  think  that  losing  the  money  was  al- 
right, Captain  Ike,  and  won't  whine  about  it  any 
more." 

"  Now  you  're  beginnin'  to  show  the  sense  I 
always  claimed  you  had,  Stephen  Jordan.  It 's  the 
part  of  a  sensible  man,  or  lad  either,  for  that  mat- 


Straightening  Accounts.  159 

ter,  to  make  the  best  of  what  can't  be  helped. 
After  this,  you  an'  I  will  keep  the  cash  about  us, 
an'  it  will  go  hard  if  the  lesson  that  has  cost  twenty- 
two  dollars  ain't  well  learned.  Leave  me  to  deal 
with  Captain  Skillin's,  an'  as  soon  as  this  'ere  cargo 
is  put  into  his  cars,  at  whatever  price  the  market 
opens  with  to-morrow  morning,  we  '11  straighten 
accounts,  so  as  to  see  how  we  stand.  I  'd  like  to 
have  you  send  your  mother  ten  dollars  or  so  jest  for 
the  sake  of  showin'  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  that 
the  lobster  scheme  ain't  a  dead  failure.  It  will  perk 
her  up  a  good  bit,  an'  pull  him  down  correspond- 
ingly, which  last  is  what  I  'm  after." 

"  It  is  too  soon  to  think  of  taking  anything  from 
our  capital  yet,  Captain  Ike,  especially  after  what 
we  've  lost." 

"  It  ain't  too  soon  to  show  the  Deacon  what  you 
can  do,  lad;  an'  when  I  tell  Sam  Skillin's  why  we 
want  him  to  hand  the  widow  Jordan  ten  dollars 
when  he  goes  home  to-morrow  night,  he  '11  realize 
all  the  whys  and  wherefors,  and  chuckle  over  it, 
else  I  'm  mistaken." 

During  the  remainder  of  the  run,  Stephen  re- 
mained at  his  post  in  the  engine-room,  and  when 
finally  the  Sprite  was  made  fast,  at  quite  a  late  hour 
in  the  night,  to  the  Skillings  dock,  the  loss  of 
money  did  not  appear  to  the  boy  any  the  less;  but 
he  had  resigned  himself  to  the  inevitable. 


160  Lobster  Catchers. 

After  the  fires  were  drawn,  and  the  decks  tidied 
up  as  much  as  could  be  in  the  darkness,  the  lobster 
buyers  laid  down  in  their  narrow  bunks  for  a  well- 
earned  sleep,  and  it  was  not  until  the  porter  of  the 
warehouse  came  aboard  next  morning  that  they 
awakened. 

A  fresh  codfish,  presented  by  the  captain  of  a 
fishing  vessel  lying  near  at  hand,  and  browned  to  a 
delicate  tint  over  a  fire  built  in  the  furnace,  made 
a  most  appetizing  breakfast.  And  then  began  the 
work  of  transferring  the  cargo  from  the  tanks  of  the 
Sprite  to  the  merchant's  cars. 

Before  the  task  was  completed  Captain  Skillings 
himself  appeared  on  the  dock,  and,  hailing  the  crew 
of  the  Sprite  with  a  cheery  "  How  are  you  ?  "  he 
overlooked  the  work. 

"  Where  did  you  get  that  cargo  ? "  he  asked. 

"  Down  to  Tom  Dawson's,"  Captain  Ike  replied. 

' '  Made  a  dicker  with  him,  eh  ?  Well,  I  '11  venture 
to  say  the  Sprite  did  n't  pay  very  much  on  this  trip." 

"  What  are  lobsters  worth  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  suppose  we  can  stand  eighteen  dollars 
and  a  half,  though  that  's  a  stiff  price ;  but  Dawson's 
lobsters  are  a  little  better  than  the  general  run. 
What  did  you  have  to  pay  for  'em  ? " 

' '  Fifteen  dollars,  an'  did  our  share  in  takin'  them 
out  of  the  pound." 

"  Fifteen   dollars!"  and  Captain  Skillings  gave 


Straightening  Accounts.  161 

vent  to  a  prolonged  whistle.  "  Well,  you  two  are 
pretty  sharp  on  a  bargain.  I  never  would  have 
sent  the  smack  into  Tom  Dawson's  place  with  the 
idea  of  making  three  dollars  and  a  half  a  hundred 
out  of  him,  for  I  did  n't  suppose  it  could  be  done. 
How  many  have  you  got  ?  " 

"  Two  thousand,  an'  they  '11  run  a  hundred  over." 

"  Twenty-one  hundred  and  five,"  the  man  who 
had  been  counting  shouted,  as  the  last  lobster  was 
taken  from  the  Sprite  s  tank. 

"  Let  's  make  it  even  hundreds,"  Captain  Ike 
cried  cheerily ;  and  he  whispered  to  Stephen : 

"  There  's  eighteen  dollars  and  a  half  clean  on 
that  odd  hundred,  which  comes  mighty  nigh  makin' 
up  for  what  was  stolen." 

"  You  lads  seem  to  be  doin'  a  good  thing  with 
the  Sprite.  I  reckon  it  won't  pay  to  loiter  round 
port  very  long  when  there  are  bargains  like  these 
to  be  picked  up.  Come  ashore  and  have  a  settle- 
ment, so  you  can  be  off.  Look  here,"  he  added,  as 
if  a  sudden  thought  had  come  to  him,  "  where  did 
you  get  the  money  to  pay  for  so  many  ? " 

"  We  gave  Dawson  an  order  for  two  hundred 
dollars  on  you,  sir." 

"  Oh,  you  did,  eh  ?  Well,  that 's  all  right.  Come 
ashore." 

Meanin'  one  or  both  of  us,  sir  ?"  Captain  Ike 
asked. 


1 62  Lobster  Catchers. 

I  reckon  I  can  do  business  with  one,  although 
it  don't  make  any  difference  if  all  hands  come." 

"  You  get  on  steam,  Stephen,  an'  I  '11  tend  to 
this  business,  'cause  I  ain't  countin'  on  lettin'  the 
captain  know  twenty-two  dollars  slipped  through 
our  fingers.  We  're  to  charge  it  up  to  ourselves,  so 
every  thin'  is  straight  an'  above  board  in  the  busi- 
ness ;  an'  I  '11  manage  it,  I  reckon,  better  than  you 
can." 

The  lad  was  not  averse  to  having  his  partner  at- 
tend to  the  details  of  the  business  with  the  owner  of 
the  Sprite  ;  but  before  he  acted  upon  the  suggestion 
of  getting  up  steam  he  went  ashore  and  across  the 
pier  in  the  faint  hope  that  the  Vera  had  returned. 

As  might  have  been  expected,  the  white  yacht 
was  not  there. 

One  of  Captain  Skillings's  employees,  noting  the 
movement,  said  with  a  laugh : 

It  would  n't  be  swell  enough  here  for  such  a 
craft  as  you  picked  up,  lad,  even  if  she  'd  been  re- 
paired in  this  short  time,  which  ain't  the  case." 

"  Where  did  she  go  ?  " 

"  Over  to  the  Stevens  dock.  The  passengers 
went  to  Boston  as  soon  as  they  could  get  a  train, 
and  I  reckon  the  young  woman  skipper  has  got  all 
she  wants  of  yachting  for  this  season." 

Then  Stephen  went  back  to  the  Sprite ;  freshened 
up  the  fire  which  he  had  built  for  the  purpose  of 


Straightening  Accounts.  163 

cooking  the  fish,  and  by  the  time  his  partner  came 
on  board  again,  was  ready  for  the  third  cruise. 

"Well,  how  did  you  come  out?"  he  asked, 
anxiously. 

"  It  had  to  be  all  right,  of  course,  lad,  seem'  's 
how  I  was  n't  lettin'  on  that  we  had  been  fools  with 
the  money.  The  cargo  footed  up  three,  seventy- 
eight,  fifty;  taking  out  the  order  for  two  hundred 
we  gave  Dawson,  left  a  balance  of  one,  seventy- 
eight,  fifty ;  fifty  for  us,  an',  subtractin'  what  we 
paid  him,  leaves  a  mighty  handsome  profit  for  four 
and  twenty  hours'  work." 

"  Seventy-eight  dollars  and  fifty  cents!  "  Stephen 
repeated. 

"  Ay,  lad,  that  's  jest  the  size  of  it;  an'  now  we 
can  tell  how  much  has  been  made.  S'posen  we 
straighten  accounts  this  mornin'.  It  won't  do  any 
harm  if  we  hold  on  here  twenty  minutes  or  more." 

Stephen  took  up  pencil  and  paper,  and  the  old 
fisherman  arranged  the  items  as  follows : 

First  off,  set  down  seventy-eight,  fifty;  for 
that  's  what  we  've  got  on  hand  over  an'  above  the 
hundred  Captain  Skillin's  lent  us.  Now,  add  on 
the  twenty-two  dollars  that  was  stolen." 

"What  's  that  for?"  the  lad  asked.  "We 
have  n't  got  it." 

True  for  you,  lad;  but  we  're  givin'  up  one 
half  for  the  use  of  the  Sprite,  an'  it  must  be  figgered 


164  Lobster  Catchers. 

in,  to  be  honest  with  Captain  Skillin's,  same  as  if 
we  had  it  on  hand." 

"  It  amounts  to  one  hundred  dollars  and  fifty 
cents." 

"  Now  take  off  fifteen  dollars  that  I  paid  for  coal 
before  we  left  port,  an'  eight  dollars  we  gave  up 
yesterday  mornin'." 

"  That  's  twenty -three  dollars,  and  subtracting  it 
from  a  hundred  leaves  seventy-seven  dollars  and 
fifty  cents." 

"  Then  I  allow  we  're  entitled  to  somethin'  for 
grub;  but  we  '11  wait  before  we  charge  that  up. 
Now,  to  say  nothin'  of  the  salvage  on  the  Vera, 
we  've  made  clean  about  seventy-seven  dollars,  an' 
I  reckon  Captain  Skillin's  can't  kick  at  that.  If  we 
give  up  half  of  it,  his  share  will  amount  to  thirty- 
eight,  seventy-five,  an'  we  '11  have  made — takin' 
out  the  money  lost — how  much  ?  " 

"  Sixteen  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents,"  Stephen 
announced. 

"  Well,  that  's  a  heap  better  than  could  be  done 
catchin'  lobsters.  After  this,  we  '11  see  that  the 
pirates  don't  get  the  best  of  us,  an'  the  profits  will 
be  bigger.  Now,  I  told  Captain  Skillin's  why  we 
wanted  to  send  your  mother  ten  dollars,  and  he 
allowed  it  was  a  good  plan ;  but  said  he  would  n't 
take  it  out  of  this  money.  He  '11  pay  it,  an'  charge 
it  up  to  us;  'cause,  you  see,  we  sha'n't  always  strike 


Straightening  Accounts.  165 

a  fisherman  that  will  be  so  near  port,  or  can  afford 
to  take  an  order  instead  of  the  cash ;  an'  we'll  be 
needin'  all  we  can  lay  our  hands  on." 

I  am  afraid  he  will  think  that  I  am  anxious  to 
spend  money  before  it  has  been  earned,"  Stephen 
said  hesitatingly. 

Don't  you  believe  it,  lad.  I  've  explained  the 
whole  business,  an'  he  knows  just  why  we  're  doin' 
this  thing.  It  will  be  a  pretty  tough  blow  to  the 
Deacon  when  he  comes  round  to  threaten  your 
mother,  an'  she  flashes  up  ten  dollars  you  Ve  earned 
since  leavin'  home.  Before  the  next  cruise  is  at  an 
end  we  must  run  round  that  way ;  there  '11  be  a  good 
many  lobsters  picked  up  nearabouts,  an'  we  '11  show 
'em  we  're  in  the  business." 

How  much  are  you  going  to  pay  for  them 
now  ? " 

"  Captain  Skillin's  allows  they  '11  hold  pretty 
firm  at  eighteen  dollars,  although  yesterday  it  did 
look  as  if  the  prices  would  take  a  drop." 

Tom  Dawson  will  be  sorry  he  sold  to  us  at 
fifteen  dollars,  and  perhaps  he  would  n't  if  you 
had  n't  said  that  the  market  was  going  down." 

"  There  was  nothin'  dishonest  in  the  statement, 
lad.  I  had  it  straight  from  the  bookkeeper  before 
I  left  that  we  need  n't  expect  to  get  eighteen  dol- 
lars; but,  you  see,  we  struck  it  so  quick  that  there 
was  n't  a  chance  for  the  prices  to  go.  back  on  us. 


1 66  Lobster  Catchers. 

Dawson  made  a  good  trade,  an'  so  did  we.  Now  I 
reckon  there  's  nothin'  to  prevent  our  gettin'  under 
way  again." 

As  he  spoke,  Captain  Ike  arose  from  the  locker 
on  which  he  had  been  sitting  during  this  straighten- 
ing of  accounts,  and  went  toward  the  companion- 
way,  halting  suddenly,  however,  as  a  heavy  footstep 
was  heard  on  deck. 

"  If  you  '11  believe  me,  Stephen,  it  's  Deacon 
Joshua  Brackett  !  "  he  exclaimed  after  looking 
through  the  hatch. 

There  was  an  expression  of  mingled  surprise  and 
alarm  upon  the  boy's  face,  and  he  half  turned,  as  if 
to  seek  shelter  in  flight,  when  the  old  fisherman 
whispered  soothingly,  laying  his  hand  on  the  lad's 
shoulder. 

"  Don't  you  have  a  fear,  lad,  of  what  that  old 
curmudgeon  can  do.  He  's  come  in  a  good  time, 
for  I  'm  just  in  trim  to  give  him  a  piece  of  my 
mind." 

There  was  no  opportunity  for  further  conversation 
between  the  partners,  for  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett 
had  begun  to  descend  the  companion-way  stairs, 
and  Stephen  turned  as  his  uncle  stood  on  the  floor 
of  the  engine-room. 

"  Yes,  this  is  about  what  I  expected,"  the  Dea- 
con began ;  and  Captain  Ike  interrupted  with  the 
remark : 


Straightening  Accounts.  167 

"  I  'm  glad  you  ain't  disappointed,  Deacon,  though 
I  don't  know  what  you  was  countin'  on  seein'." 

"  I  knew  this  lobster  business  was  but  another 
name  for  loafin'  round  such  disreputable  places  as 
this.  You  leave  your  poor  mother  to  starve, 
Stephen  Jordan,  while  you  play  the  vagabond  in 
this  fashion ! " 

I  reckon  the  Widow  Jordan  won't  do  much 
starvin'  this  week,"  the  old  fisherman  said,  with  a 
chuckle.  "  Stephen  thought  a  little  cash  might 
come  in  handy,  so  he  sent  her  ten  dollars  this 
mornin'  out  of  his  earnin's." 

"  He  did  no  such  thing.  I  was  at  the  Ben  Jor- 
dan farm  last  night,  and  she  was  in  a  destitute 
condition." 

"  Well,  if  you  go  there  to-night,  after  Captain 
Skillin's  gets  home,  you  '11  find  that  they  ain't  in  any 
desperate  way  about  something  to  eat,"  Captain  Ike 
continued.  "  I  don't  know  what  you  mean  by  sayin' 
that  he  's  round  with  vagabonds,  unless  you  're 
minded  to  give  me  that  title,  Deacon  Brackett;  an' 
if  such  be  the  case  there  '11  be  bad  blood  between  us." 
I  did  n't  come  here  to  talk  with  you,  Isaac 
Dyer,  but  to  insist  upon  my  nephew's  returnin' 
home." 

"  Well,  he  won't  go  yet  awhile,  an'  that  's  a  fact, 
seein'  's  how  he  's  got  a  contract  with  Captain  Skill- 
in's that  can't  be  broken,  an'  you  know  it  full  well. 


1 68  Lobster  Catchers. 

Now,  it  would  n't  be  for  me  to  come  between  an 
uncle  an'  a  nephew  in  the  ordinary  run  of  things; 
but  when  it  's  such  an  uncle  as  you  are,  an'  such  a 
nephew  as  Stephen,  why  then  I  feel  called  upon  to 
interfere.  You  've  come  to  browbeat  the  lad,  but 
I,  as  his  partner  an'  the  captain  of  this  steamer, 
won't  allow  it." 

"  I  will  have  no  conversation  with  you,  Isaac 
Dyer." 

"  Nor  with  Stephen  either,  unless  you  carry  it  on 
in  such  a  fashion  as  suits  me.  He  's  an  honest  lad, 
tryin'  to  earn  an'  honest  livin',  an'  succeedin' 
mighty  well, —  don't  forget  that.  You  know  how 
he  an'  I  have  got  this  craft,  'cause  you  've  been 
whinin'  round  her  owner,  tryin'  to  break  up  the 
trade;  and  when  a  boy  of  his  age  can  have  two 
thirds  of  half  the  profits  of  a  steam  lobster-smack, 
he  's  startin'  in  business  mighty  fine.  I  don't  say 
we  're  gettin'  rich  offhand;  but  they  can  tell  you 
up  to  the  warehouse  that  we  left  port  yesterday  at 
ten  o'clock,  an'  was  back  here  last  night  with  a 
clean  profit  of  seventy-eight  dollars.  I  ain't  sayin' 
this  for  the  sake  of  persuadin'  you  into  lettin' 
Stephen  alone,  for  that  's  what  you  've  got  to  do, 
whether  it  's  pleasin'  or  not." 

While  one  might  have  counted  twenty,  Deacon 
Brackett  gazed  first  at  Captain  Ike  and  then  at 
Stephen  in  mute  astonishment. 


Straightening  Accounts.  169 

Although  he  could  not  question  the  truth  of  the 
former's  statement  that  so  much  money  had  been 
earned  in  such  a  short  time,  it  seemed  incredible. 

Then,  recovering  himself  somewhat,  he  cried 
sharply : 

"  You  may  boast  of  what  you  've  done  to  others 
who  are  not  so  far-sighted  as  I.  It  was  all  a  trick 
arranged  beforehand,  so  that  you  might  say  it  had 
been  earned  in  a  few  hours." 

"  Captain  Skillin's  can  tell  you  that  there  was 
no  trick  about  it,"  the  old  fisherman  said  good- 
naturedly,  for  this  badgering  of  the  Deacon  was 
much  to  his  liking.  "It  is  all  a  straight  business 
transaction,  which  can  be  repeated  over  an'  over 
again ;  but  what  I  've  told  you  is  only  a  small  part 
of  the  lad's  good  fortune;  you  might  say  it  is  only 
a  flea-bite  compared  with  the  other." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  'm  not  in  the  humor  to  give  you  any 
too  much  information,  seein'  the  way  you  've 
always  treated  my  partner;  but  this  much  I  '11 
venture  to  predict,  that  if  you  should  offer  Captain 
Skillin's  two  hundred  dollars  for  what  's  likely  to 
come  to  the  lad  by  legitimate  means — what  's  the 
same  as  earned — he  'd  say  you  was  simple-minded 
for  thinkin'  he  'd  be  willin'  to  lose  his  money  in 
that  fashion." 

Now,  indeed,  was  the  Deacon  mystified. 


1 70  Lobster  Catchers. 

Captain  Ike  had  ever  been  known  as  a  truthful 
man,  and  however  angry  Stephen's  uncle  may  have 
been,  he  could  not,  with  any  hope  of  being  believed, 
declare  that  the  fisherman's  statements  were  false. 

The  fact  that  ten  dollars  had  been  sent  to  Mrs. 
Jordan  was  in  itself  sufficient  proof  that  the  partners 
were  making  money  in  the  enterprise,  and  Deacon 
Brackett  was  not  pleased  to  know  of  his  nephew's 
good  fortune. 

"  You  may  try  to  confuse  me  with  your  fancies 
of  what  you  count  on  makin',  or  talk  big  of  future 
profits;  but  it  won't  avail  Stephen  Jordan,  so  far  as 
his  remainin'  in  this  disreputable  business  is  con- 
cerned. I  '11  appeal  to  the  law  before  he  shall  be 
allowed  to  ruin  himself  and  his  family  in  such 
fashion." 

Stephen  would  have  made  some  remark  at  this 
juncture,  but  that  Captain  Ike  waved  him  back,  as 
he  said : 

"  I  'm  doin'  the  talkin'  now,  lad,  an'  count  on 
keepin'  it  up  till  we  leave  port.  The  Deacon  has 
said  some  rough  things  to  me  now  and  then,  an' 
it  's  my  purpose  to  give  him  a  lesson." 

Then,  turning  to  the  visitor,  he  added : 

I  have  had  considerable  patience  with  you  since 
this  'ere  partnership  begun,  an'  its  pretty  near 
exhausted.  I  've  got  no  right  to  say  you  sha'  n't 
appeal  to  the  law,  or  go  round  the  neighborhood 


Straightening  Accounts.  171 

makin'  a  fool  of  yourself;  but  this  much  is  a  fact, 
an'  I  'm  warranted  in  sayin'  it:  Make  ever  so  little 
trouble  for  Stephen  Jordan,  in  the  way  of  preventin' 
him  from  sailin'  when  the  Sprite  is  ready,  an'  I 
promise  that  you  shall  suffer,  for  the  law  will  stand 
as  well  for  one  of  us  as  the  other.  I  'm  not  goin'  to 
have  you  tryin'  to  browbeat  a  boy,  an'  will  uphold 
him  if  he  puts  down  his  foot  against  your  threat- 
enin'  his  mother.  In  other  words,  Deacon  Brackett, 
keep  away  from  the  family  unless  you  can  see  'em 
as  a  friend.  This  ain't  idle  talk,  an'  it  ain't  done 
to  scare  you ;  but  it  's  a  plain  statement  of  facts 
from  a  plain  man,  an'  there  are  them  nearabout  here 
who  stand  higher  in  the  world  than  either  you  or 
I  who  will  help  me  to  make  my  words  good." 

"  I  've  no  desire  to  have  any  conversation  with 
such  as  you,"  Deacon  Brackett  cried,  literally 
trembling  with  rage. 

"  Well,  this  mornin'  all  the  conversation  on  board 
the  Sprite  will  have  to  be  with  me;  but  there  won't 
be  a  great  deal  more  of  it,  for  we  're  ready  to  put 
out  on  our  third  cruise,  an'  when  I  give  the  word, 
you  walk  ashore  or  take  the  chance  of  swimmin'. 
I'm  not  countin'  on  Stephen's  even  so  much  as 
speakin'  with  you,  lest  somethin'  be  said  that  might 
give  you  a  hold  upon  him." 

The  visitor  attempted  to  step  toward  his  nephew, 
who  was  standing  but  a  few  paces  in  the  rear  of 


172  Lobster  Catchers. 

Captain  Ike ;  but  the  latter  prevented  the  movement 
by  a  quick  thrust  of  his  arm. 

"  You  heard  what  I  said,  an'  are  to  remember 
that  this  mornin'  all  the  conversation  will  be  held 
with  me." 

Once  more  the  Deacon  attempted  to  move  past 
the  fisherman,  and  once  more  he  was  prevented. 

I  '11  have  the  law  on  you  for  comin'  between  me 
an'  my  nephew,"  he  cried,  shrilly,  and,  turning  with 
a  gesture  of  anger  and  menace,  he  went  swiftly  up 
the  companion-way  stairs,  Captain  Ike  following  to 
make  certain  he  did  not  loiter  on  the  deck. 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  WRECK. 

CAPTAIN  IKE  came  below  after  having  seen 
the  Deacon  make  his  way  across  the  lobster- 
cars  to  the  dock,  and  found  Stephen  trembling  with 
fear  and  excitement. 

"  What  's  the  matter  with  you,  lad  ?  You  don't 
mean  to  tell  me  that  my  partner  is  afraid  of  an  old 
hulk  like  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  ? " 

"  He  is  my  uncle,  Captain  Ike,  and  can  make  it 
very  uncomfortable  for  me." 

I  admit  that,  my  boy;  but  yet  I  'm  allowin' 
that,  after  the  little  lecture  I  gave  him,  he  '11  be  a  bit 
careful  of  how  he  goes  round  makin'  wild  talk." 

He  may  be  when  he  's  where  you  are;  but 
mother  will  suffer  for  your  plain  speaking." 

If  I  thought  so,  I  'd  go  back  an'  read  the  old 
scoundrel  another  lesson." 

Don't;  please  don't,"  Stephen  said,  pleadingly. 
It  won't  do  any  good,  and  would  only  make  mat- 
ters worse.     I  wonder  if  the  time  ever  will  come 
when  I  sha'n't  be  afraid  of  what  he  can  say  or  do  ? " 
"  Well,   it   's  come    now,   lad,   so  to  speak,    for 
you  're  what  we  might  call  your  own  master,  seein' 

173 


i/4  Lobster  Catchers. 

's  how  the  lobster  scheme  is  pannin'  out  so  well ;  an', 
for  the  matter  of  that,  I  reckon  you  always  was  in- 
dependent of  him,  'cause,  so  far  as  I  ever  knew,  he 
never  laid  out  a  cent  to  help  your  mother  or  the 
children.  The  trouble  with  him  is,  as  I  said,  that 
he  'd  hatched  a  very  pretty  plan  for  gettin'  the  Ben 
Jordan  farm  into  his  hands  without  puttin'  out 
much  money  for  it,  an'  he  now  sees  the  whole 
scheme  goin'  to  pieces.  It  naturally  riles  him. 
Then  he  says  to  himself  he  '11  make  one  more  at- 
tempt at  frightenin'  you,  an'  comes  here  to  do  it. 
You  happen  to  be  on  hand,  an'  his  chance  is 
come ;  but  lo  and  behold,  Captain  Ike  is  here,  an'  he 
don't  allow  any  sich  manceuvrin's ;  so  the  whole 
thing  is  a  flash  in  the  pan,  an'  away  goes  the  Deacon, 
ragin'  like  an  angry  hyena,  or  whatever  you  call 
'em." 

Under  other  circumstances  Stephen  might  have 
found  much  that  was  comical  in  this  speech  of  his 
partner;  but  the  whole  affair  was  one  of  such  vital 
importance  to  himself  that  he  did  not  even  smile. 

"  I  suppose  mother  will  have  to  put  up  with  it, 
and  so  shall  I,  until  I  'm  twenty-one.  Then  he 
shall  be  made  to  mind  his  own  business." 

"  It  will  come  round  your  way  before  that  time, 
lad,  'cause  I  've  taken  a  hand  in  the  family  quarrel, 
an'  allow  to  hold  it  pretty  high.  This  is  another 
case  where  there  's  no  use  in  worryin'  about  what  's 


The  Wreck.  175 

goin'  on  till  you  make  mole-hills  look  like  moun- 
tains. Forget  that  the  Deacon  ever  was  here,  an' 
think  only  of  what  we  '11  make  on  this  cruise.  I  'm 
countin'  on  runnin'  alongshore  fifteen  or  twenty 
miles,  an'  see  if  we  can't  get  the  fishermen  to  agree 
to  wait  for  us,  by  promisin'  to  look  in  on  'em  once 
a  week  or  so.     Steam  up  ?  " 

"  I  've  got  all  the  pressure  that  you  need;  we  can 
leave  this  very  minute." 

"  All  right,  my  boy,  we  won't  loiter  round  here; 
for  I  reckon  Captain  Skillin's  is  kind  of  watchin' 
out  to  see  if  we  're  disposed  to  idle  away  much  time. 
Take  in  the  after  hawser,  an'  I  '11  look  out  for  the 
for'ard  one.  Then  stand  by,  an'  I  '11  give  you  the 
signal  in  short  order." 

The  Sprite  was  backed  out  from  her  berth  along- 
side the  lobster-cars,  turned  skilfully  when  she  was 
off  the  head  of  the  pier,  and  then  sent  forward  at 
half-speed,  the  old  fisherman  whistling  through  the 
tube  as  he  gave  this  last  signal : 

I  knew  Captain  Skillin's  was  havin'  his  eye  on 
us.  He  stood  jest  inside  the  doorway  when  we 
swung  round,  but  dodged  back  mighty  quick,  as  if 
afraid  we  'd  knew  he  'd  been  watchin'.  A  good 
man  to  deal  with  is  Sam  Skillin's,  so  long  as  you 
hold  up  your  end  of  the  load ;  but  try  to  shirk  ever 
so  little,  an'  he  '11  come  down  on  you  like  an 
elephant." 


176  Lobster  Catchers. 

Then  Captain  Ike  gave  all  his  attention  to  the 
wheel,  and  Stephen  stood  watching  the  engine  as 
he  thought  of  how  much  sorrow  the  Deacon  might 
bring  upon  those  of  the  Ben  Jordan  farm  by  his 
harsh  words  and  implied  threats,  until  the  jingling 
of  the  bell  told  that  the  sailing-master  of  the  Sprite 
was  ready  to  have  her  sent  ahead  at  full  speed. 

During  the  next  hour  the  man  at  the  helm  spoke 
now  and  then  with  the  engineer,  as  if  to  prevent 
him  from  dwelling  upon  his  troubles,  and  the  latter, 
exhilarated  by  this  brisk  steaming  over  the  waves 
sufficiently  high  to  give  a  steamer  a  bounding  move- 
ment, finally  forgot,  for  the  time  being,  all  save 
that  which  lay  before  him. 

Once  more  his  only  care  was  to  make  of  his  busi- 
ness venture  a  success ;  but  as  his  thoughts  drifted 
into  this  channel  he  could  not  refrain  from  dwelling 
upon  the  theft  which  caused  the  loss  to  himself  and 
his  partner  of  what  seemed  like  a  very  large  sum  of 
money. 

Then  had  come  the  time  when  the  first  halt  was 
to  be  made,  and  Captain  Ike  cried,  as  he  gave  the 
signal  to  "  slow  down  "  : 

"  We  're  off  Dollar  Island.  I  'm  minded  to  put 
in  an'  see  what  Dave  Roberts  has  got  on  hand." 

"  It  's  a  good  idea,"  Stephen  replied,  emphati- 
cally. "  I  know  he  's  been  lobstering  all  the  season, 
an'  we  should  be  able  to  make  a  trade  with  him." 


The  Wreck.  177 

The  Sprite  was  brought  to  an  anchorage  off  the 
landing-place,  and  the  old  fisherman  said,  as  he 
hauled  the  skiff  alongside: 

I  reckon  the  Sprite  won't  come  to  any  harm  if 
we  leave  her  alone  for  a  spell,  pervidin'  your  fires 
are  all  right." 

"  There  's  no  trouble  about  that  part  of  it,  and 
this  time  we  '11  take  our  money  with  us,"  Stephen 
replied,  as  he  went  below  for  the  canvas  bag. 

Dave  Roberts  had  just  come  in  from  the  task  of 
"  hauling  his  pots,"  and  appeared  well  pleased  to 
see  visitors,  as  indeed  any  man  might  who  lives 
eight  miles  from  the  mainland  and  seldom  has  an 
opportunity  of  meeting  with  his  fellow-creatures 
except  when  he  makes  a  voyage  to  the  city. 

"  What  's  bringin'  you  round  here,  Captain  Ike  ? 
Gone  to  work  for  Sam  Skillin's  ?  I  see  you  've  got 
his  smack." 

"  Not  exactly.  Stephen  an'  I  are  runnin'  heron 
our  own  account,  pickin'  up  a  few  lobsters  here  an' 
there,  an'  count  on  makin'  reg'lar  trips  every  week 
or  ten  days.      How  's  the  fishin'  ?  " 

"  Only  middlin'.     What  are  lobsters  worth  ?  " 

"  Out  here,  I  'd  say  thirteen  cents  was  a  good  fair 
price." 

I  hear  they  're  sellin'  for  eighteen  in  town." 
Yes;  how  many  you  got  ?  " 

"  A  couple  of  hundred." 


1 78  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Well,  you  see,  Dave,  they  ain't  worth  more  'n 
thirteen  cents  to  pick  'em  up  two  hundred  in  a  lot. 
If  you  had  a  couple  of  thousand  I  might  go  a  cent 
better.  Why,  see  here,  we  bought  two  thousand 
from  Tom  'Dawson  yesterday  afternoon  at  fifteen 
cents.  Prime  lobsters,  an'  so  near  the  market  that 
it  was  n't  more  'n  child's  play  to  run  in  with  'em." 
Mine  are  as  good  as  his." 

I  ain't  sayin'  a  word  agin'  'em,  Dave,  not  a 
word  ;  but  then  it  's  like  this :  We  take  on  two  hun- 
dred now,  an'  it  may  be  three  days  before  we  get  a 
cargo.  In  the  meantime  a  dozen,  or  fifteen,  or 
twenty  of  the  first  lot  have  been  chewed  up,  an' 
we  're  that  much  out.  All  the  profit  gone,  an'  per- 
haps a  little  more  besides.  Say  thirteen  dollars,  an' 
we  '11  take  them  aboard ;  but  if  you  kick  at  it,  why, 
there  's  no  harm  done,  an'  off  we  '11  go." 

"  I  s'pose  I  shall  let  you  take  'em;  but  it  seems 
a  pretty  poor  price." 

"  Yes,  I  allow  it  is;  but  how  are  you  goin'  to 
help  it  ?  We  've  got  to  make  a  livin'  an'  buy  our 
coal." 

Stephen  was  relieved  to  know  that  the  usual 
amount  of  haggling  would  not  have  to  be  gone 
through  with  at  this  stopping-place. 

They  were  now  on  a  cruise  where  they  could  not 
hope  to  find  any  fishermen  with  a  very  large  num- 
ber of  lobsters  on  hand,  and  therefore  many  calls 


The  Wreck.  1 79 

must  be  made  in  order  to  load  the  steamer.  Every 
hour  spent  in  bargaining  meant  just  so  much  delay, 
and  paved  the  way  for  no  small  amount  of  loss  be- 
fore they  should  be  able  to  turn  the  stock  over  to 
Captain  Skillings. 

Roberts  pulled  out  to  his  car,  which  was  anchored 
a  short  distance  from  the  shore,  and  the  Sprite  was 
soon  alongside. 

In  less  than  half  an  hour  the  goods  had  been  de- 
livered into  the  tank  of  the  steamer,  the  money 
paid,  and  the  speculators  were  on  their  devious  way 
once  more. 

Four  miles  farther  on  another  halt  was  made;  a 
hundred  lobsters  were  bought  at  thirteen  dollars, 
and  they  steamed  ahead  to  the  third  fisherman, 
where  was  added  to  the  stock  two  hundred  more  at 
the  same  price. 

It  was  now  so  late  that  there  was  no  possibility 
of  making  up  a  cargo  before  dark,  and  Captain  Ike 
said,  as  they  got  under  way  again : 

"  I  reckon  we  may  as  well  count  on  spendin'  the 
night  nearabout  Hawk's  Reef.  There  are  half  a 
dozen  men  fishin'  there,  an'  we  should  be  able  to 
buy  a  thousand  or  more." 

Then,  when  the  steamer  was  under  way,  he  called 
through  the  tube  in  a  tone  of  triumph : 

I  've  been  figgerin'  up  this  day's  work  so  far, 
Stephen,  an'  it  has  n't  been  a  bad  one.      If  we  get 


180  Lobster  Catchers. 

back  to  port  in  any  reasonable  time,  there  's  a  profit 
of  twenty  dollars  on  what  's  been  bought,  allowin' 
we  only  get  eighteen,  though  it  stands  us  in  hand 
to  stick  out  for  that  extra  half-dollar." 

"  We  're  doing  well  enough,  if  we  can  get  a  load 
in  season." 

"  If  we  can't,  we  '11  run  in  with  half  a  cargo,  so 
they  won't  get  the  best  of  us  there,  my  lad.  Now 
send  her  ahead,  an'  we  '11  make  the  reef  nearabout 
Kelley's  shanty  before  nightfall." 

The  old  fisherman  soon  found  that  he  had  made 
a  miscalculation  as  to  the  time  when  they  might 
arrive  at  the  harbor  where  it  was  proposed  to  spend 
the  night. 

A  good  half-hour  had  been  spent  in  bargaining  at 
the  last  stopping-place,  and  this,  together  with  other 
loss  of  time,  had  occupied  so  much  of  the  day  that 
when  the  sun  began  to  sink  below  the  horizon  they 
had  just  come  to  the  outermost  point  of  the  reef. 

Now  it  would  be  necessary  to  run  alongside  for 
five  miles  or  more,  if  they  came  to  anchor  in  front 
of  Kelley's  shanty. 

Hawk's  Reef  at  high  water  looks  much  like  three 
or  four  small  islands,  situated  only  a  short  distance 
apart ;  but  when  the  tide  recedes  it  can  be  seen  that 
these  are  only  mounds  or  formations  of  earth  upon 
a  rocky  barrier  that  extends  in  a  line  parallel  to  the 
coast  a  distance  of  a  dozen  miles  or  more. 


The  Wreck.  181 

It  was  now  nearly  low  water,  and  as  the  Sprite 
dashed  on  past  this  treacherous  line  of  rock,  Stephen 
gazed  from  the  after  companion-way,  speculating 
upon  the  suffering  which  must  have  been  endured 
by  seamen  who  had  been  wrecked  in  that  dangerous 
locality. 

Then,  and  as  if  it  was  but  a  continuation  of  his 
own  thoughts,  he  saw  a  short  distance  ahead, 
wedged  into  a  cleft  of  the  rocks  on  a  portion  of  the 
reef  which  would  soon  be  submerged,  the  fragments 
of  what  appeared  to  be  a  small  sailing  craft. 

The  fire  was  bright ;  the  engine  working  smoothly, 
and  he  ran  on  deck  to  speak  with  Captain  Ike. 

"  There  has  been  a  wreck  within  a  few  hours," 
he  said,  pointing  in  the  direction  of  the  stranded 
boat. 

"  Ay,  lad.  I  have  been  lookin'  at  her  through 
the  glass.  Take  a  squint,  an'  you  '11  see  four,  if 
not  five,  men  standin'  nearabout.  Fresh-water 
sailors,  I  reckon,  who  thought  they  knew  how  to 
manage  any  kind  of  a  craft  from  a  scow  to  a  ship, 
an'  have  gone  on  there  in  broad  daylight." 

"  They  will  have  quite  a  walk  before  them  to  get 
to  the  nearest  landing,"  Stephen  said,  as  he  sur- 
veyed the  scene  through  the  glass  which  Captain 
Ike  handed  him. 

"  Ay,  that  's  what  they  will,  an',  unless  I  'm 
way  'off  in  my  reckonin',  it  can't  be  done." 


1 82  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  You  mean  they  will  be  overtaken  by  the  tide  ?  " 
the  lad  cried  in  alarm. 

"  Ay,  before  they  can  get  to  a  place  of  safety  in 
either  direction ;  an'  the  idjuts  don't  seem  to  know 
what  's  comin'  upon  'em." 

"  Put  in,  put  in,  Captain  Ike!  You  are  not  going 
to  leave  them  ?  " 

"  It  ought  to  be  done,  if  for  no  other  reason  than 
to  show  'em  what  fools  they  are ;  but  at  the  same 
time,  I  s'pose  we  sha'  n't  stand  by  an'  see  'em 
drowned,  although  it  goes  agin'  the  grain  to  lose 
an  hour  or  more  when  we  might  come  to  anchor 
before  dark." 

"  They  are  waving  to  us  now.  Perhaps,  having 
seen  the  Sprite,  they  thought  there  was  no  need  of 
trying  to  make  for  the  next  headland,  because  we 
would  pick  them  up." 

"  Oh,  yes,"  the  old  man  grumbled.  "  They  can 
go  an'  wreck  theirselves  out  there  where  a  blind 
man  would  n't  go  ashore,  an'  then  expect  the  next 
honest  sailor  that  comes  along  to  spend  his  time 
takin'  'em  off.  It  would  n't  be  a  bad  idee  to  let 
the  tide  overtake  'em  before  we  put  in  ;  but  I  s'pose 
we  've  got  to  do  it.  The  lobster  business  don't 
amount  to  anything  when  there  's  work  of  this  kind 
to  be  done,  that  is  to  say,  not  in  the  eyes  of  some 
people  " ;  and  had  Stephen  not  known  his  partner 
so  intimately,  he  would  have  fancied  the  old  man 


The  Wreck.  183 

was  angry  because  he  had  suggested  running  in  to 
rescue  these  shipwrecked  men. 

The  Sprite  was  not  more  than  a  mile  from  the 
shore,  and  the  young  engineer  went  below,  knowing 
he  would  soon  be  called  upon  to  "  stop  her,"  for 
Captain  Ike  would  not  be  so  venturesome  as  to  run 
the  yacht  close  inshore. 

Most  likely  the  skiff  would  be  used  in  taking  the 
castaways  on  board,  and  so  small  was  she  that  no 
less  than  two  trips  would  be  necessary. 

The  bell  to  "  slow  down  "  was  struck.  Then  came 
the  signal  to  stop,  and  when  the  engine  was  motion 
less,  Stephen  went  on  deck  to  lend  such  assistance 
as  was  in  his  power. 

Captain  Ike  already  had  the  skiff  alongside,  and 
he  said  gruffly,  as  if  still  aggrieved  because  of  being 
forced  to  stop : 

I  '11  attend  to  this  part  of  the  work,  an'  you 
stand  by  to  look  after  'em  when  they  come  aboard. 
Don't  let  one  of  the  crowd  below,  or  inside  the 
wheel-house.  There  ain't  any  great  call  to  coddle 
'em  up,  'cause  they  have  n't  had  a  chance  to  do 
much  sufferin'." 

Then  he  pulled  to  the  shore,  and  when  he  returned 
bringing  two  of  the  shipwrecked  ones  with  him, 
Stephen  saw,  to  his  surprise,  that  they  were  hardly 
more  than  boys,  and  very  badly  frightened  boys  at 
that. 


184  Lobster  Catchers. 

They  were  unable,  or  unwilling,  to  give  any  very 
detailed  account  of  their  wanderings;  but  he  gath- 
ered from  their  statements  that  they  had  sailed  from 
the  city  the  day  previous,  not  at  the  time  intending 
to  make  a  prolonged  cruise. 

"  We  '11  carry  you  to  a  fisherman's  shanty  four  or 
five  miles  away,  and  that  's  all  I  reckon  you  '11  care 
to  have  us  do,"  Stephen  said,  thinking  the  ship- 
wrecked lads  might  be  anxious  to  know  what  dis- 
posal was  to  be  made  of  them.  "  You  see,  this  is  a 
lobster-smack,  an'  we  're  out  for  a  cargo ;  it  may  be 
two  or  three  days  before  we  get  back,  that  is,  unless 
we  find  lobsters  more  plentiful  than  they  have  been 
so  far  on  the  cruise.  Do  you  want  to  go  into  the 
engine-room  ?  " 

One  of  the  boys  shook  his  head,  and  the  other 
looked  up  at  Stephen  in  a  frightened  sort  of  man- 
ner, much  to  the  lad's  surprise  and  annoyance. 

"  You  '11  be  all  right  aboard  here,"  he  said,  en- 
couragingly. "  We  '11  take  the  best  care  of  you; 
but,  of  course,  that  won't  be  anything  very  swell. 
It  's  only  a  case  of  running  down  the  reef  half  an 
hour." 

Captain  Ike  returned  with  the  other  two  cast- 
aways, neither  of  them  apparently  older  than 
Stephen,  and  said  in  a  low  tone  to  his  engineer,  as 
he  made  the  skiff  fast  astern : 

"  We  '11  run  over  to  Kelley's  as  soon  as  may  be, 


The  Wreck.  185 

lad,  an'  in  the  meanwhile  do  you  keep  a  sharp  eye 
out  on  these  fellers.  There  's  somethin'  wrong 
about  'em,  or  I  'm  mistaken." 

"  What  makes  you  think  so  ? " 

"  When  I  offered  to  see  what  could  be  saved  from 
their  boat  they  acted  as  if  afraid  to  have  me  go  to 
her,  an'  yet  there  must  have  been  somethin'  of 
value  that  we  could  bring  away.  Four  lads  like 
them  don't  leave  port  on  a  cruise  without  anythin' 
aboard." 

"  Then  you  did  n't  go  to  the  wreck  ? " 

"  No;  they  claimed  there  was  no  need  of  it, 
'cause  they  had  nothin'  there;  an',  to  tell  the  truth, 
I  did  n't  fancy  leavin'  'em  on  the  beach  alone  with 
the  skiff  while  I  was  explorin',  for  fear  the  craft 
would  n't  be  there  when  I  got  back.  Somehow,  I 
mistrust  these  youngsters.  Keep  your  eye  on  'em, 
Stephen,  keep  your  eye  on  'em." 

The  old  fisherman  went  into  the  wheel-house,  the 
engineer  going  at  once  to  his  post  of  duty ;  but  the 
four  castaways  remained  amidships  on  the  hatch  of 
the  tank,  as  if  averse  to  coming  into  close  contact 
with  those  who  had  unquestionably  saved  their  lives. 

"  There  's  a  fire  down  here  if  you  're  cold," 
Stephen  cried  through  the  window  of  the  engine- 
room,  and  one  of  the  visitors  shook  his  head,  but 
did  not  so  much  as  look  around.  The  four  were 
standing  with  their  backs  toward  the  speaker. 


1 86  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Well,  I  may  be  nothing  but  a  farmer  or  a  fisher- 
man; but  I  've  got  better  manners  than  that," 
Stephen  muttered  to  himself,  as  he  obeyed  Captain 
Ike's  signal  by  starting  the  engine.  "  If  anybody, 
I  don't  care  who  it  was,  had  saved  me  from  drowning, 
I  would  try  and  have  common  politeness  enough  to 
answer  decently  when  I  was  spoken  to." 

He  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  machinery  for 
a  few  moments,  resolved  not  to  waste  time  on  such 
ingrates  as  these  lads  appeared  to  be,  and  then, 
almost  without  being  conscious  of  doing  so,  he 
looked  out  upon  them  again. 

They  were  engaged  in  earnest  conversation, 
glancing  now  and  then  forward  and  aft  as  if  afraid 
their  words  might  be  overheard,  and  Stephen  was 
more  perplexed  than  ever. 

"  They  have  been  doing  something  wrong,  and 
are  afraid  we  '11  find  it  out.  Who  knows  but  that 
they  're  thieves  ? "  and  he  felt  of  the  canvas  bag 
which  was  buttoned  tightly  in  his  pocket,  to  make 
certain  it  was  secure. 

Now  he  watched  them,  taking  good  care  not  to 
be  detected  in  so  doing,  and  discovered  that  they 
were  evidently  standing  watch  themselves,  as  if 
fearful  lest  some  one  might  come  upon  them 
unawares. 

It  not  only  puzzled  but  disturbed  him,  and  whist- 
ling softly  through  the  speaking-tube  until,  having 


The  Wreck.  187 

attracted    his   partner's    attention,    he    asked    in    a 
whisper : 

Can  any  one  else  hear  when  I  speak  as  low  as 
this  ? " 

If  you  mean  our  passengers,  I  should  say  no, 
lad.  They  are  out  on  the  hatch,  lookin'  like  jail- 
birds. I  tell  you,  there  's  somethin'  wrong  with 
them  fellers." 

"  I  believe  there  is,  Captain  Ike,  and  I  don't  like 
the  idea  of  keeping  them  on  board  all  night." 

"  Never  you  fear  about  that,  lad.  They  '11  go 
ashore  when  we  come  to  anchor  at  Kelley's,  or  I  '11 
know  the  reason  why.  Keep  your  eye  on  'em,  an' 
if  you  see  anythin'  that  looks  like  mischief,  give 
her  the  whistle  once  or  twice — don't  stop  for  the 
tube." 

Stephen  did  as  he  was  bidden ;  but  during  twenty 
minutes  he  saw  nothing  more  than  had  first  been 
observed. 

The  shipwrecked  lads  yet  remained  on  the  hatch, 
apparently  as  suspicious  of  those  who  had  saved 
them  as  before,  and  made  no  effort  to  go  forward 
or  aft. 

"  It  must  be  we  've  made  a  mistake,"  Stephen 
said  to  himself.  "  These  boys  are  frightened  out 
of  their  wits,  that  's  all.  Probably  they  did  n't 
understand  how  to  sail  a  boat,  an'  when  she  went 
ashore,  it  knocked  the  senses  out  of  them." 


1 88  Lobster  Catchers. 

He  turned  to  attend  to  the  fire,  and  had  hardly 
opened  the  furnace  door  before  there  came  a  soft 
whistle  through  the  tube,  which  he  answered  by- 
asking  : 

"What 'sup?" 

Have  you  been  looking  at  the  lads  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir;  and  I  have  come  to  believe  they  are 
only  scared.  Neither  one  of  them  has  so  much  as 
moved  since  I  spoke  to  them." 

I  reckon  they  are  scared,  and  with  good  reason," 
Captain  Ike  said,  in  a  cautious  whisper.  "  Look 
well  at  'em,  Stephen  Jordan,  an'  tell  me  if  you  have 
ever  seen  one  of  the  gang  before." 

"  I  have  been  looking  at  them  for  nearly  half  an 
hour.  They  appear  to  be  city  fellers,  and  I  don't 
think  I  ever  run  across  them." 

"Do  you  remember  the  sailin'-boat  that  put 
alongside  the  Sprite  while  we  was  at  Tom  Daw- 
son's ? " 

"  Yes,"  Stephen  said,  hesitatingly,  and  at  the 
same  moment  glancing  out  of  the  window.  "  Yes, 
I  remember  her,  an  I " 

"  You  saw  two  of  them  lads  in  there;  that  I  '11 
go  bail.  It  struck  me  when  I  first  went  ashore  that 
I  'd  seen  'em  somewhere,  but  not  until  just  now 
could  I  make  up  my  mind.  I  did  n't  give  any 
great  heed  to  'em  when  they  was  foolin'  round 
the  steamer  while  we  talked  with  Dawson,  which 


The  Wreck.  189 

accounts  for  their  faces  not  bein'  very  clear  in  my 
mind ;  but  after  thinkin'  it  over  a  bit,  I  've  come  to 
know — an',  mind  you,  there  ain't  any  mistake — 
that  the  same  pirates  as  took  our  twenty-two  dollars 
are  sittin'  on  the  hatch  of  the  tank  this  very  minute." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

RESTORATION. 

IT  was  only  with  difficulty  that  Stephen  Jordan 
suppressed  a  cry  of  astonishment  when  Captain 
Ike  thus  made  an  accusation  against  those  who  had 
been  saved  from  death  by  drowning. 

It  did  not  seem  to  the  lad  possible  that  the  idlers 
nearabout  the  lobster  farm  would  be  in  this  vicinity, 
for  Hawk's  Reef  was  not  a  favorite  resort  with  sum- 
mer visitors,  and  yet,  as  he  peered  out  of  the  engine- 
room  window,  he  could  see,  in  the  new  light  shed 
by  the  old  fisherman's  words,  that  these  young 
fellows  were  very  similar  in  general  appearance  to 
those  whom  he  had  observed  near  the  Sprite  while 
she  lay  off  Dawson's  farm. 

Perhaps  had  not  the  shipwrecked  ones  behaved  in 
such  an  odd  fashion,  he  might  not  have  believed  the 
accusation  made  by  Captain  Ike;  but  now  he  be- 
came convinced  it  was  just,  and  felt  certain  the 
young  culprits  had  been  the  first  to  understand  who 
were  their  rescuers. 

Stephen  was  literally  dazed  by  the  fact  that  cir- 
cumstances had  thus  brought  them  together,  and 
while  he  was  trying  to  make  up  his  mind  as  to  what 

190 


Restoration.  191 

should  be  done,  a  single  quick,  sharp  stroke  of  the 
gong  caused  him  to  leap  forward  to  the  engine. 

It  was  the  signal  for  stopping,  and  would  not  have 
been  given  until  after  the  cautionary  signal  to  "  slow 
down,"  without  good  and  sufficient  reason. 

In  a  twinkling  he  had  brought  the  engine  to  a 
standstill,  and  as  the  little  craft  forged  ahead  slowly 
from  her  own  impetus,  he  leaned  out  of  the  window 
to  discover  what  danger  menaced. 

Nothing  was  to  be  seen  save  the  reef  on  the  port 
hand.  The  heaving  ocean  as  far  as  eye  could  reach 
toward  the  rapidly  diminishing  horizon  line,  bore 
not  a  single  sail  upon  its  surface. 

Involuntarily  he  glanced  toward  the  stowaways. 

The  four  lads  had  leaped  to  their  feet  as  if  in 
alarm,  and  were  looking  first  in  this  direction  and 
then  that  to  learn  the  meaning  of  the  signal. 

Find  a  piece  of  spare  pipe  that  '11  serve  for  a 
club,  an'  come  on  deck!  "  Captain  Ike  whistled 
through  the  tube;  and  this  command  only  served  to 
increase  Stephen's  bewilderment. 

During  such  time  as  he  had  acted  as  assistant 
engineer  for  Captain  Skillings,  Deacon  Brackett's 
nephew  had  learned  the  important  lesson  of  obeying 
orders  without  question,  and,  after  making  certain 
the  steam  was  not  so  high  that  there  could  be  any 
danger  in  leaving  the  engine  unattended,  he  did  as 
his  partner  commanded. 


192  Lobster  Catchers. 

With  a  short  length  of  iron  tubing  in  his  hand,  he 
ascended  the  companion-way  just  as  Captain  Ike 
came  from  the  wheel-house,  armed  with  what  ap- 
peared to  be  the  leg  of  a  chair. 

Amidships,  clustered  on  the  hatch  of  the  tank, 
the  castaways  were  standing  close  together  as  if  for 
mutual  protection,  and  looking  anxiously  and 
nervously  from  one  of  their  rescuers  to  the  other. 

"  Don't  come  for'ard!  "  Captain  Ike  shouted,  as 
Stephen  started  toward  him.  "  Hold  on  where 
you  are  till  we  've  done  a  little  business  with  the 
passengers.  They  're  not  sich  an  honest  lookin' 
crowd  that  I  care  to  give  'em  a  chance  of  gettin' 
below  ;  so  stand  betwixt  them  an'  the  engine- 
room!  " 

"  What  's  the  matter  with  you  ?"  one  of  the 
party  asked,  in  what  he  probably  intended  should 
be  a  tone  of  defiance,  but  which  really  was  a  token 
of  abject  fear. 

"  I  'm  not  allowin'  we  're  anyways  out  of  sorts; 
but  there  's  a  little  matter  of  business  to  be  settled 
between  us  before  this  'ere  craft  comes  to  anchor." 

"  Your  're  crazy!  "  the  boy  cried,  in  a  quavering 
tone. 

"  That  may  be,  an'  it  makes  matters  so  much  the 
worse  for  you.  My  partner  an'  I  were  at  Dawson's 
lobster  farm  yesterday,  an'  while  there  a  crowd  of 
pirates  stole  twenty-two  dollars  from  a  canvas  bag 


Restoration.  193 

what  was  hid  away  in  the  starboard  locker.  The 
only  craft  that  came  around  while  we  stopped  there, 
was  cutter-rigged,  much  the  same,  so  far  as  I  could 
make  out,  as  the  one  you  put  ashore.  Now  I  've 
got  it  fixed  mighty  strong  in  my  mind  that  you  're 
the  crowd  we  saw  hoverin'  near  the  steamer." 

"  We  don't  know  of  such  a  place  as  '  Dawson's 
farm,'  "  one  of  the  party  said,  stoutly. 

"  An'  you  're  ready  to  swear  you  did  n't  come 
aboard  this  craft  yesterday  an'  steal  twenty-two 
dollars  ?  " 

Of  course  we  are!  " 

"  I  don't  allow  we  could  make  any  great  fist  at 
bringin'  about  your  arrest  unless  we  had  more  proof; 
but  seein'  's  how  you  're  aboard  our  craft,  I  allow 
we  '11  keep  you  here  till  we  know  more  or  less 
regardin'  this  matter." 

It  '11  be  a  waste  of  time  if  you  count  on  keeping 
us  here  till  we  admit  having  taken  the  money,"  the 
first  speaker  said  sharply ;  and  Stephen  understood 
that  the  lad  was  recovering  somewhat  from  his  fear. 
You  won't  stop  aboard  this  craft  any  very  great 
spell,  unless  I  hit  upon  somethin'  in  the  way  of 
proof  that  will  be  enough  for  any  judge  in  the  land. 
The  boat  I  saw  nearabout  the  Sprite  yesterday  had 
a  three-cornered  patch  near  the  throat  of  the  main- 
sail, an'  a  square  one  at  peak,  while  the  jib  was  new. 

We  're  goin'  to  run  back  an'  have  a  squint  at  the 
13 


194  Lobster  Catchers. 

wreck  of  your  craft,  to  see  if  the  same  marks  can  be 
found  on  her  canvas.  When  we  are  opposite  that 
part  of  the  reef  where  these  young  gentlemen  were 
seen,  Stephen,"  he  added,  turning  toward  his  part- 
ner, "  you  '11  slip  into  the  skiff  an'  pull  ashore.  I  '11 
answer  for  it  our  passengers  don't  get  into  the 
engine-room  to  make  mischief,  an'  it  may  be  you 
can  find  out  more  about  the  wreck  than  has  been 
told." 

The  castaways  looked  at  each  other  for  an  instant 
in  what  Stephen  fancied  was  apprehension  and  fear, 
and  then  one  of  them  asked  defiantly : 

"  Well,  what  if  you  should  find  the  marks,  as  you 
call  them  ?  Is  our  craft  the  only  one  on  the  coast 
of  Maine  that  has  patches  on  her  sails  ?  " 

"  It  don't  stand  to  reason  that  two  cutter-rigged 
boats  would  be  so  near  alike,  or  have  crews  who 
looked  to  be  the  same.  Get  below,  Stephen,  an' 
send  her  ahead  at  full  speed.  We  must  do  up  this 
little  job,  an'  come  to  anchor  off  Kelley's  before 
dark,  if  it  can  be  done." 

The  young  engineer  hesitated  only  sufficiently 
long  to  ascertain  if  either  of  the  passengers  had  any 
further  remark  to  make,  and  then  turned  to  obey, 
Captain  Ike  calling  after  him  sharply : 

"  Look  out  for  yourself,  lad,  while  in  the  engine- 
room,  for  I  have  n't  any  better  opinion  of  these 
young  gentlemen  than  to  believe  they  might  make 


Restoration.  195 

a  rush,  if  so  be  there  was  a  chance  of  gettin'  the 
best  of  you." 

"  Don't  worry  about  me,  Captain  Ike.  I  '11  put 
a  nozzle  on  the  exhaust  cock,  and  then  be  prepared 
to  give  unwelcome  visitors  a  dose  of  hot  steam  such 
as  will  cool  them  down." 

"  Good  for  you,  lad;  I  always  allowed  you  could 
take  care  of  yourself  " ;  and  the  old  fisherman  was 
on  the  point  of  stepping  into  the  wheel-house  when 
one  of  the  group  on  the  tank-hatch  hailed  him : 

"  How  much  money  did  you  say  had  been  lost  ? " 

"  Twenty-two  dollars  was  what  somebody  stole." 

"  Well,  see  here,  old  man:  it  's  hard  lines  for  us 
to  lose  our  boat  and  then  be  made  prisoners  in  this 
fashion.  We  're  anxious  to  get  home  and,  while 
not  over-burdened  with  money,  are  willing  to  pay 
you  that  amount  rather  than  stay  any  longer  than 
necessary." 

"  Meanin'  you  '11  give  us  that  much  rather  than 
that  we  should  overhaul  the  wreck  of  your  craft  ? " 

"  Not  exactly  that;  we  '11  pay  you  twenty-two 
dollars  in  order  to  be  set  ashore  somewhere  near 
town." 

"  You  won't  get  any  nearer  town  than  Keiley's 
landing  this  night,  unless  some  craft  heaves  in  sight 
mighty  soon ;  an'  we  're  not  of  the  kind  that  can  be 
bought  in  such  a  fashion.  If  you  are  the  fellows 
who  stole  our  money,  we  shall  soon  know  it,  an' 


196  Lobster  Catchers. 

then  it  '11  be  a  horse  of  a  different  color.  Put  her 
along,  Stephen ;  we  can't  afford  to  waste  any  more 
time!" 

The  lad  did  not  wait  to  hear  anything  more.  He 
was  now  convinced  that  these  four  castaways  were 
no  other  than  the  pirates  who  had  robbed  them, 
and  there  was  an  idea  in  his  mind  that  it  would  not 
be  necessary  to  run  back  very  far. 

As  the  engine  was  started,  the  Sprite  swung 
around  in  a  half-circle,  and  no  sooner  had  Captain 
Ike  rang  the  bell  for  full  speed  than  Stephen  heard 
one  of  their  accused  passengers  hailing  the  helms- 
man. 

By  lowering  the  forward  window  he  could  see  and 
hear  all  that  took  place. 

The  lad  who  had  acted  as  spokesman  was  stand- 
ing within  a  few  paces  of  the  wheel-house,  on  the 
port  side,  shouting, — 

"  Look  here,  old  man,  we  don't  intend  to  be 
treated  in  this  fashion !  " 

Captain  Ike  made  no  reply  ;  and  the  Sprite  dashed 
on,  as  if  eager  to  be  done  with  this  twisting  and 
turning,  that  she  might  rest  at  anchor. 

"  We  '11  give  up  the  money!  "  the  boy  shouted, 
after  being  convinced  that  the  fisherman  could  not 
be  intimidated. 

Not  until  then  did  Captain  Ike  condescend  to 
put  his  head  through  the  window. 


Restoration.  197 

"  Do  you  own  up  to  havin'  stole  it  ?  "  he  asked. 
We   '11    agree    to     anything     rather    than    be 
freighted  back  and  forth  in  this  fashion." 

"  That  don't  suit  me,"  the  old  man  replied.  "  If 
I  'm  makin'  a  mistake,  it  '11  be  a  case  of  tryin'  my 
best  to  square  matters,  an'  I  '11  begin  by  carryin' 
you  back  to  town  this  very  night ;  for  my  partner 
and  I  are  not  minded  to  take  money  that  is  n't 
ours." 

"  What  do  you  want  me  to  say  ? "  the  boy  asked 
impatiently. 

If  you  boys  stole  the  money,  confess  it,  an' 
then  we  '11  take  the  cash ;  but  not  under  other  cir- 
cumstances." 

"  Will  you  carry  us  back  to  town  ? " 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it.  You  '11  be  landed  at  Kelley's 
place,  with  good  reason  to  be  thankful  that  we  don't 
push  the  matter  any  further." 

The  boy  stepped  back  to  consult  with  his  com- 
panions ;  but  the  speed  of  the  Sprite  was  not 
slackened. 

A  moment  later  the  parley  was  resumed. 

Here  's  your  money,"  the  spokesman  of  the 
castaways  said,  as  he  approached  the  wheel-house, 
holding  up  something  in  his  hand. 

An'  you  stole  it  ?  "  Captain  Ike  asked;  but  not 
offering  to  receive  that  which  was  proffered. 

The  boy  hesitated    a    single    instant,   and    then 


198  Lobster  Catchers. 

replied,  curtly,  but  in  a  muffled  voice,  as  if  the  con- 
fession cost  him  a  great  effort : 

"  Yes." 

Captain  Ike  took  the  money.  It  was  a  collection 
of  silver  coins,  the  same  denomination  as  those 
stolen,  and  he  rang  the  bell  to  "  slow  down." 

Again  the  Sprite  swung  around  in  a  half-circle 
until  she  was  heading  once  more  for  Kelley's 
landing,  and  then  came  the  demand  for  full 
speed. 

Stephen,  satisfied  that  restitution  had  been  made, 
was  both  pleased  and  saddened, — pleased  that  the 
money  was  restored  to  them,  for,  in  view  of  all  the 
circumstances,  it  represented  a  large  amount;  and 
saddened  because  these  young  lads  had  been  willing 
to  commit  a  crime. 

Captain  Ike  did  not  attempt  to  hold  any  conver- 
sation through  the  tube. 

He  was  now  bent  on  arriving  at  an  anchorage  be- 
fore dark,  for  Kelley's  landing  was  guarded  by  so 
many  rocks  just  beneath  the  surface  of  the  water 
that  it  was  not  a  pleasant  or  safe  task  to  run  in 
during  the  night. 

On  the  hatch  of  the  tank  the  castaways  yet  clus- 
tered, looking  thoroughly  ashamed  and  despondent, 
and  Stephen  soon  found  himself  pitying  them  most 
sincerely. 

The    shadows    of   night   were    lengthening   into 


Restoration.  199 

gloom  when  the  lobster-smack  glided  into  the  tiny 
rock-guarded  harbor  where  Seth  Kelley  moored  his 
boats,  and  was  given  such  a  welcome  by  the  fisher- 
man as  visitors  to  this  lonely  place  had  reason  to 
expect. 

"I  'm  right  glad  to  see  you,  Captain  Ike!" 
Kelley  cried,  as  Stephen's  partner  came  out  of  the 
wheel-house  to  let  go  the  anchor.  "  Comin'  ashore 
right  away,  eh  ?  " 

"  As  soon  as  we  make  all  snug,  Seth." 

I  '11  fry  a  few  lobsters,  an'  try  my  hand  at  some 
biscuit,  while  you  're  gettin'  into  shape,"  Kelley 
replied,  and  immediately  disappeared  in  the  gloom. 

Once  the  Sprite  was  moored,  Captain  Ike  came 
aft,  where  Stephen  was  drawing  the  fire  and  other- 
wise doing  his  share  toward  "  making  snug." 

Here  's  our  money,  an'  there  '11  be  no  need  of 
chargin'  ourselves  with  that  amount  of  cash,"  the 
old  man  said,  as  he  emptied  his  pocket  on  the  top 
of  the  locker.  "  It  looks  as  near  like  what  we  lost 
as  any  two  piles  of  silver  can." 

Stephen  glanced  at  the  money  without  offering  to 
take  it. 

Put  the  stuff  in  the  bag,  partner.  We  must  n't 
run  the  chance  of  losin'  it  a  second  time." 

See  here,  Captain  Ike,"  and  Stephen  turned 
suddenly  to  face  the  old  man  \  "  what  's  to  be  done 
with  those  boys  ?  " 


200  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  We  '11  tell  Seth  Kelley  the  story  after  we  've 
put  'em  ashore,  an'  then  let  them  shift  for  them 
selves,   with   good   cause  to  be   thankful  that  we 
did  n't  notify  the  police." 

But  it   may  be  a  week  before  they  '11  find  a 
chance  of  leaving  this  reef." 

Longer  than  that,  lad,  unless  Kelley  is  minded 
to  set  'em  ashore." 

"  And  what  about  their  people  ?  They  came  out 
yachting,  and  if  the  wreck  of  their  craft  is  picked 
up  after  it  drifts  off  the  ledge,  or  in  case  they  re- 
main absent  longer  than  was  intended,  their  folks 
will  believe  they  've  been  drowned." 

"  That  's  none  of  our  lookout,  my  boy,"  Captain 
Ike  replied  carelessly. 

"  Think  of  how  much  my  mother  would  suffer  if 
she  failed  to  hear  from  me  for  a  week  or  more!  " 
Stephen  persisted. 

"  Her  son  ain't  a  thief,  consequently  he  is  n't  in 
the  way  to  be  set  ashore  at  this  place." 

"  But  the  mothers  of  these  boys  don't  know  what 
has  been  done,  and  it  is  cruel  to  keep  them  in  sus- 
pense." 

"  The  young  thieves  deserve  worse  'n  we  're 
dealin'  out  to  'em." 

"  You  are  punishing  their  parents  more  than 
them." 

"  Look  you,  Stephen, — are  you  upholdin'  what 


Restoration.  201 

them  young  scoundrels  did  ?  "  the  old  man  asked 
severely. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,  Captain  Ike;  but  I  don't  want 
you  to  do  a  wrong  in  order  to  punish  them.  If  this 
was  the  main  shore,  from  which  point  they  could  walk 
back  to  town,  I  would  n't  say  a  word,  no  matter 
how  long  the  distance  might  be.  But  to  know  that 
the  boys'  parents  were  suffering  because  of  an  ab- 
sence caused  by  our  acts,  would  take  away  all  the 
pleasure  of  getting  the  money  that  had  been  stolen. 

Captain  Ike  meditatively  rubbed  his  nose  during 
fully  a  minute,  and  then  he  asked: 

What  's  your  idee  of  how  the  young  scoundrels 
ought  'er  be  treated  ?  " 

I  can  only  say  that  it  would  do  me  solid  good 
to  set  them  ashore  somewhere  near  town." 

I  reckon  I  'm  bound  to  give  in,  no  matter  how 
much  it  may  go  agin'  the  grain;  but  what  '11  we  do 
with  'em  to-night  ?  " 

"  They  can  sleep  in  Kelley's  shanty." 

I  don't  reckon  he  'd  give  the  villains  so  much 
as  a  shelter,  after  knowin'  what  they  've  done." 

"  Then,  why  need  you  tell  any  more  than  that  we 
picked  them  up  on  the  reef  ?  What  was  done  at 
Dawson's  farm  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  wreck." 

Again  Captain  Ike  was  lost  in  reflection  and,  after 
what  seemed  to  Stephen  a  very  long  while,  he  said, 
almost  angrily: 


202  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  I  'm  goin'  to  let  you  run  this  'ere  business  after 
your  own  fashion,  my  boy,  though  I  don't  think 
it 's  a  wise  one.  Them  as  steal  should  suffer  for  it ; 
an'  by  gettin'  off  scot  free  once,  they  're  encouraged 
to  try  the  same  game  over  again." 

"  Thank  you,"  Stephen  replied,  believing  it 
would  be  unwise  to  say  anything  more  just  at  that 
time ;  and  the  old  man  asked  moodily : 

"  How  long  before  you  '11  be  ready  to  go  ashore  ?  " 

"  It  will  take  me  half  an  hour  or  more  to  clean  up 
here  ready  for  a  fresh  start,," 

I  reckon  I  '11  sneak  ashore  to  help  Kelley.  It 
is  n't  likely  he  '11  be  countin'  on  feedin'  so  many. 
But  I  ain't  certain  it  '11  be  safe  to  leave  you  alone 
with  that  gang,"  he  added,  as  a  certain  suspicion 
came  into  his  mind.  "  They  may  try  their  hands 
at  stealin'  the  smack,  seein'  's  how  they  got  off  so 
easy  before." 

"  I  can  take  care  of  myself,"  Stephen  replied, 
with  a  merry  laugh.  "  Stealing  a  steamer,  unless 
they  know  how  to  handle  her,  would  be  much  like 
trying  to  run  away  with  an  elephant.  Go  ashore, 
and  I  will  look  after  matters  here." 

The  old  man  unmoored  the  skiff,  and  as  he  pulled 
toward  the  beach  Stephen  lighted  the  lanterns ;  for 
by  this  time  the  night  had  fully  come. 

Then  he  set  about  his  work,  with  never  a  thought 
of  being  molested  by  the  four  lads  on  deck;  and 


Restoration.  203 

five  minutes  later  he  was  startled  and  not  a  little 
alarmed  by  hearing  footsteps  on  the  companion-way 
stairs. 

Turning  quickly,  he  saw  the  boy  who  had  given 
up  the  money,  and  behind  him  was  dimly  outlined 
the  forms  of  his  comrades. 

Stephen  seized  the  iron  tubing  which  had  served 
him  as  weapon  a  short  time  previous,  and  faced  his 
visitors. 

"  You  need  n't  be  afraid  that  we  'd  be  such 
sneaks  as  to  jump  on  you,  even  though  we  have 
proved  ourselves  thieves,"  the  boy  said,  noting  the 
fact  that  Stephen  had  armed  himself.  "  We  've 
come  here  to  thank  you  for  what  you  said  to  the 
old  man  in  our  behalf.  The  engine-room  window 
was  open,  and  we  heard  every  word." 

"  Well?  "  Stephen  asked,  not  knowing  what  reply 
to  make. 

"  You  've  done  us  a  mighty  good  turn,  after  we  'd 
robbed  you.  It  's  something  we  sha'n't  forget  in  a 
hurry,  and  perhaps  it  '11  come  in  our  way  to  square 
accounts." 

"  There  's  no  need  of  it.  I  was  sorry  for  your 
mothers,  and  did  n't  like  the  idea  of  leaving  you 
here  where  but  few  craft  ever  drop  anchor." 

And  you  put  an  end  to  what  the  old  man  would 
have  done,  knowing  that  we  stole  your  money." 

"  Of   course,  I    knew  that.     After   Captain    Ike 


204  Lobster  Catchers. 

accused  you,  I  was  certain  it  was  your  craft  that 
came  alongside  of  us  at  Dawson's  farm." 

"  Saying  that  we  're  sorry  and  ashamed  don't 
mend  matters,  I  know ;  but  yet  I  want  you  to  under- 
stand that  we  're  not  the  hardened  villains  your 
partner  thinks  us,  though  perhaps  the  word  of 
thieves — and  that  is  really  what  we  are — don't  count 
for  much.  Ten  minutes  after  we  took  that  money, 
I  'd  given  twice  as  much  if  we  could  have  put  it 
back;  but  I  did  n't  have  the  courage  to  come  up 
like  a  man  and  confess  to  what  had  been  done.  The 
Captain  don't  think  we  've  been  punished;  but  he 
does  n't  know  all  that  has  been  in  our  minds  since 
then.  There  is  n't  money  enough  in  this  world  to 
tempt  me  after  this  one  experience,  and  I  wish  you 
might  believe  what  I  'm  saying." 

"  I  don't  doubt  it,"  Stephen  replied,  and  he 
dropped  the  iron  tube  as  if  ashamed  of  standing 
armed  before  these  penitents. 

"  I  can't  say  what  I  want  to  now;  but  we  'd  like 
to  see  you  in  town ;  and  then  perhaps  you  '11  have 
a  better  opinion  of  us,  even  though  we  did  steal  the 
money." 

"  Of  course  I  'd  be  willing  to  see  you  anywhere; 
but  I  don't  have  much  time  for  loitering  around 
town.  A  fellow  who  has  a  living  for  himself  and  a 
family  to  earn  can't  spend  many  idle  hours." 

"  But  you  put  in  there  often  ?  " 


Restoration.  205 

"  Yes;  every  two  or  three  days." 

"  Where  do  you  haul  up  ?  " 

"  At  Skillings's  fish  dock.  Any  one  around  there 
would  be  likely  to  know  when  we  ought  to  arrive." 

"  We  '11  come  and  see  you,"  the  lad  said  gravely. 
"  And  now,  would  you  be  willing  to  shake  hands 
with  me  ?  " 

Stephen  hesitated  only  sufficiently  long  to  wipe 
his  grimy  hands  on  a  bunch  of  waste,  and  then  each 
of  the  wrongdoers  clasped  them  in  turn ;  but  no 
further  conversation  was  indulged  in. 

The  castaways  went  on  deck  immediately  after 
thus  having  given  proof  of  repentance,  and  again 
the  four  gathered  on  the  tank  hatch. 

"  Why    don't    you  stay  down  here  ?"    Stephen 

cried,  a  moment  later.     "  The  air  is  damp  at  this 

time  of  the  night,  and  it  's  better  to  be  under  cover." 

Perhaps  the  Captain  would  rather  we  stayed  on 

deck,"  one  of  the  party  replied,  meekly. 

"  I  '11  answer  for  him,"  Stephen  cried,  cheerily. 
"  Come  below;  for  it  '11  be  quite  a  spell  before 
we  're  ready  to  go  ashore." 

The  lads  accepted  the  invitation  without  delay. 
The  warm  air  of  the  engine-room  must  have  been 
comforting,  for  their  clothing  was  saturated  with 
water,  and  Stephen  could  well  understand  that  they 
had  suffered  from  the  cold  while  the  steamer  was 
under  way. 


206  Lobster  Catchers. 

Half  an  hour  later,  when  Captain  Ike  came 
aboard,  he  found  the  four  whom  he  believed  had 
not  been  sufficiently  punished,  working  industriously 
at  whatever  came  to  their  hands.  One  was  assist- 
ing Stephen  at  cleaning  the  machinery,  another  had 
been  sweeping  the  floor,  while  the  remaining  two 
trimmed  lamps,  washed  windows,  and  otherwise  im- 
proved the  general  appearance  of  the  cabin. 

The  old  man  surveyed  the  scene  in  silence  a  mo- 
ment or  two,  and  then  said  gruffly,  addressing  no 
one  in  particular : 

Kelley's  supper  is  ready,  an'  the  sooner  we  help 
him  eat  it  the  better  he  '11  be  pleased." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

JETHRO   DEARING'S  VENTURE. 

STEPHEN  had  been  doing  more  work  than  was 
really  necessary,  because  the  fact  of  being 
allowed  to  help  him  had  appeared  to  give  these 
penitent  lads  some  satisfaction  ;  but  at  Captain  Ike's 
summons  he  turned  quickly,  saying  to  his  com- 
panions as  he  did  so: 

"  Come  on,  boys.  I  reckon  you  're  ready  for 
something  to  eat,  and  Seth  Kelley  is  famous  for  his 
fried  lobsters." 

"  I  think  we  had  better  not  go  ashore  with  you, 
if  the  Captain  is  willing  for  us  to  stay  on  board," 
the  eldest  of  the  party  said  gravely. 

"  Not  go  ashore  ?  Why,  surely  you  're  needing 
supper." 

"  We  can  get  along  well  enough  without  it;  and 
just  now  I  don't  think  we  have  any  reason  to  make 
much  display  of  ourselves." 

Stephen  looked  toward  Captain  Ike  ;  and  the 
latter,  understanding  that  his  partner  was  mutely 
asking  him  to  second  the  invitation,  said  in  a  tone 
that  was  very  nearly  friendly : 

"  You  had  best  come,  lads;  and  don't  think  it  's 
207 


208  Lobster  Catchers. 

a  case  of  makin'  a  show  of  yourselves.  Most  likely 
my  partner  has  told  you  what  we  have  decided  on 
doin',  an'  you  can  be  certain  I  did  n't  come  round 
to  his  way  of  thinkin'  by  halves.  That  is  to  say, 
after  agreein'  with  him  as  to  what  should  be  done, 
I  was  n't  mean  enough  to  tell  Seth  Kelley  the  story. 
He  '11  know  you  only  as  four  boys  we  picked  up  on 
the  reef  after  their  craft  had  been  stove." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  the  oldest  of  the  party  said, 
in  a  tone  which  could  not  be  mistaken  ;  and  Stephen 
believed  his  partner  was  at  that  moment  very  glad 
he  had  not  managed  the  affair  according  to  his  first 
proposition. 

"  You  will  come  ashore  with  us,"  the  old  fisher- 
man said,  and  now  he  spoke  heartily.  "  We  '11  try 
Seth's  fried  lobsters, — perhaps  make  a  trade  with 
him, — an'  come  back  to  the  Sprite  for  a  night's  rest, 
or  sleep  ashore,  as  may  best  suit  us." 

"  Will  you  let  me  pull  the  skiff,  sir  ?  She  is  so 
small  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  three  trips  in  order 
to  get  all  hands  of  us  on  the  land,"  the  spokesman 
of  the  castaways  asked. 

"  Ay,  you  may,  if  it  will  suit  you  better  ;  an' 
Stephen  an'  I  will  be  the  first  passengers." 

Captain  Ike's  partner  looked  up  at  him  gratefully. 
In  thus  disembarking  while  the  wrongdoers  remained 
on  board,  the  old  fisherman  was  showing  that  he  had 
full  confidence  in  their  repentance,  although,  as  a 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  209 

matter  of  course,  not  having  heard  what  passed  be- 
tween them  and  Stephen. 

The  boys  understood  that  this  was  a  show  of  faith 
in  their  honesty  which  was  not  really  deserved,  and 
Stephen  would  have  been  willing  to  pledge  his 
word  that  never  again  would  they  succumb  to  such 
temptation  as  had  been  sought  out  rather  than 
met. 

In  silence  the  repentant  lad  pulled  the  master  and 
engineer  of  the  Sprite  ashore,  and  Captain  Ike  said, 
— as  he  strode  up  the  beach, 

"  You  lads  won't  have  any  trouble  in  findin' 
Kelley's  shanty,  if  you  follow  this  'ere  path  that  's 
marked  and  broad  enough  for  a  coach  an'  four." 

The  fisherman  whose  guest  he  was  welcomed 
Stephen  cheerily;  congratulating  him  upon  the 
venture  he  was  making  in  company  with  Captain 
Ike,  and  said  decidedly : 

"  You  will  make  a  go  of  it,  lad,  an'  that  I  '11 
answer  for.  It  's  goin'  to  be  a  decently  rough 
business  this  winter;  but  I  reckon  you  two  will  pull 
through  all  right,  an'  that  'ere  smack  of  Captain 
Skillin's's  is  stout  enough  to  outlive  any  weather 
you  '11  be  likely  to  run  into." 

The  table  was  spread  after  a  clumsy  fashion  ;  that 

is  to  say,  there  was  a  huge  pile  of  lobster  meat, 

fried  to  a  delicate  brown  after  having  been  boiled, 

placed  in  the  centre  of  a  small  table,  and  flanked  on 
14 


2io  Lobster  Catchers. 

either  side  by  two  plates  filled  with  smoking  hot 
biscuit.  There  was  no  butter,  but  plenty  of  bacon 
fat  to  serve  in  its  stead ;  and  seven  tin  dippers  filled 
with  a  deep  brown  mixture,  which  by  courtesy  was 
called  tea. 

Not  an  inviting  looking  meal,  save  to  those  who 
brought  such  appetites  as  did  Captain  Ike  and  his 
partner,  and  to  them  it  was  all  that  could  be  de- 
sired. 

The  four  castaways  arrived  in  due  season;  seated 
themselves  according  to  Captain  Ike's  directions; 
but  then  failed  in  doing  that  justice  which  the  meal 
deserved  —  because,  as  Stephen  believed,  of  being 
seriously  disturbed  in  mind. 

Seth  Kelley  was  ready  to  make  any  fair  trade 
which  might  be  proposed.  He  had  from  three  to 
four  hundred  lobsters  in  his  cars,  and  was  thoroughly 
well  pleased  at  being  able  to  sell  them  at  the  price 
offered  by  Captain  Ike — thirteen  cents  apiece. 

"  I  '11  have  them  aboard  of  you  within  an  hour 
after  sunrise,"  he  said;  and  this  ended  the  business 
portion  of  the  conversation. 

The  owner  of  the  shanty  was  eager  to  learn  the 
news  from  the  outside  world ;  and  Captain  Ike 
gratified  his  host  in  so  far  as  he  was  able,  the  re- 
mainder of  the  company  sitting  around  the  table  in 
silence  meanwhile. 

It    was    nearlv     ten    o'clock  —  a   late   hour   for 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  211 

fishermen  who  arose  considerably  in  advance  of  the 
sun  —  when  the  party  broke  up,  Kelley  offering  to 
provide  with  beds  as  many  as  could  not  well  be 
accommodated  on  board  the  steamer. 

"  We  have  only  got  two  bunks,"  Captain  Ike 
said  ;  "  and  if  you  will  keep  these  shipwrecked  lads, 
they  '11  sleep  more  comfortably  than  aboard,  for 
we  're  not  overburdened  with  beddin'. 

Then  the  master  and  the  engineer  of  the  Sprite  set 
off,  the  castaways  shaking  hands  with  Stephen  once 
more;  and,  until  the  two  were  stretched  out  in  their 
narrow  sleeping-places,  Captain  Ike  did  not  speak. 

Then  it  was  only  to  say : 

"  I  reckon  your  way  was  the  best  one,  after  all. 
The  lads  we  picked  up  are  not  so  far  on  the  wrong 
road  but  that  they  can  make  a  turn,  an'  you  have 
helped  them  do  it." 

It  was  hardly  more  than  half  an  hour  after  day- 
light next  morning  when  Seth  Kelley  arrived  with 
his  first  dory-load  of  lobsters,  and  with  him  were 
two  of  the  castaways,  who  worked  manfully  at 
transferring  the  cargo  to  the  tank  of  the  Sprite, 
while  Captain  Ike  stood  by  keeping  tally,  and 
Stephen  made  the  necessary  preparations  for  getting 
under  way. 

Three  hundred  and  fifty  lobsters  were  taken  on 
board,  and  when  Stephen  had  paid  for  them,  at  the 
rate  of  thirteen  cents  apiece,  his  partner  asked, 


212  •  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  How  much  have  we  put  out  for  what  's  in  the 
tank,  lad  ?  " 

"  One  hundred  and  ten  dollars  and  fifty  cents. 
Counting  in  the  money  we  got  back  last  night, 
there  's  enough  on  hand  to  pay  for  seven  hundred 
more,  if  we  're  fortunate  enough  to  find  them." 

"  We  '11  put  in  at  Jethro  Dearing's.  He  's  doin' 
a  big  business,  I  'm  told,  down  at  that  place  he 
bought  last  year,  settin'  a  couple  of  hundred  pots, 
an'  hirin'  a  man  to  help  tend  'em.  It  stands  to 
reason  he  ought  to  have  a  fair  stock  on  hand,  unless 
some  smack  has  been  along  lately." 

The  castaways  were  on  board.  Seth  Kelley  parted 
with  his  guests  reluctantly,  after  promising  the  lob- 
ster buyers  that  he  would  have  a  good  stock  on 
hand  in  the  course  of  a  week ;  and  the  Sprite  was 
headed  down  the  coast  to  Jethro  Dearing's,  which 
place,  as  Stephen  knew,  was  hardly  more  than  three 
miles  from  the  Ben  Jordan  farm. 

Although  so  near  his  home,  the  lad  had  not  visited 
it  since  Dearing  bought  the  property,  which  con- 
sisted of  five  or  six  acres  of  land,  out  from  which  had 
been  built  a  wharf,  and  on  the  latter  a  storehouse. 

Jethro  Dearing  announced  at  the  time  of  purchas- 
ing the  property  that  he  was  going  into  the  lobster 
business  on  a  scale  such  as  had  never  been  known 
in  that  vicinity,  and  to  this  end  had  spent  no  small 
amount  of  money  in  building  a  pier,  a  warehouse, 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  213 

and  so  many  pots  that  old  fishermen  from  far  and 
near  laughed  at  the  idea  that  any  two  men  could 
satisfactorily  attend  to  all  of  them  properly. 

He  had  not  made  a  great  success  of  this  scheme ; 
but  yet  did  a  larger  business  than  any  one  save, 
perhaps,  Tom  Dawson. 

"  It  's  just  the  spot  I  'd  choose  to  start  a  farm 
like  Tom's,"  Captain  Ike  had  said  to  Stephen,  when 
they  were  first  discussing  the  scheme  of  buying 
lobsters.  "  I  reckon  by  this  time  Dearing  is  ready 
to  sell  it  at  a  bargain,  for  he  ain't  makin'  as  much 
money  as  a  man  who  puts  out  ninety  pots  an'  can 
pull  'em  every  day,  to  say  nothin'  of  the  fact  that 
he  don't  get  the  time  to  market  his  catch." 

This  was  the  place  at  which  Stephen's  partner 
proposed  to  make  the  next  stop ;  and  the  lad  was 
rejoiced  thereat,  for  after  coming  so  near,  surely  he 
might  afford  to  spend  sufficient  time  to  visit  his 
mother,  if  only  for  a  few  moments. 

"  We  can  pull  in  at  the  red  shanty  for  half  an 
hour,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  while  I  run  up  home; 
and  surely  that  time  won't  be  lost." 

Therefore  the  lad  was  in  the  best  of  spirits  as  the 
yacht  ploughed  her  way  toward  that  portion  of  the 
coast  on  which  was  situated  the  Ben  Jordan  farm ; 
and  he  took  good  care  to  keep  a  full  head  of  steam, 
in  order  that  she  might  arrive  in  the  shortest  pos- 
sible space  of  time. 


214  Lobster  Catchers. 

The  castaways,  after  assisting  the  engineer  as  far 
as  was  in  their  power,  remained  on  deck,  much  as  if 
thinking  they  would  thereby  the  better  please  those 
who  had  befriended  them ;  and  Stephen  almost  for- 
got at  the  time  that  there  were  strangers  aboard,  so 
occupied  was  he  with  anticipations  of  seeing  his 
mother  and  the  children. 

It  was  almost  as  if  Captain  Ike  could  read  what 
was  passing  in  his  partner's  mind,  for,  when  the 
Sprite  was  near  the  coast,  he  shouted  through  the 
tube: 

"  I  am  minded  to  look  in  at  the  red  shanty,  lad, 
after  we  've  seen  Dearing;  and  that  would  n't  be  a 
bad  chance  for  you  to  take  a  run  home.  Of  course, 
we  could  n't  afford  to  hang  round  very  long;  but 
fifteen  minutes  would  cover  your  comin'  an'  goin', 
with  twice  as  long  for  a  stop,  an'  then  we  'd  be 
squanderin'  less  than  an  hour.  What  do  you  think  ? 
Can  we  afford  it  ?  " 

"  I  'd  like  very  much  to  go  home,  Captain  Ike," 
Stephen  replied,  "  and  would  be  willing  to  come 
away  in  ten  minutes." 

"  There  is  no  need  of  any  such  desperate  haste, 
for  we  're  not  likely  to  be  able  to  land  our  cargo 
to-night  in  case  Dearing  sells  us  any;  so  we  '11 
leave  it  that  way." 

In  due  course  of  time  Captain  Skillings's  smack 
came  alongside  of  the  pier  Jethro  Dearing  had  built 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  215 

when  he  believed  it  would  be  possible  to  revolution- 
ize the  lobster  -  catching  industry ;  and  Stephen, 
standing  in  the  after  companion-way,  gazed  about 
him  in  surprise  at  the  amount  of  labor  which  had 
been  expended  upon  the  place. 

The  pier  was  not  a  pretentious  one ;  but  it  was 
solidly  built  of  logs  and  heavy  timbers,  extending 
so  far  out  into  the  harbor  that  a  vessel  drawing 
twenty  feet  of  water  might  have  laid  at  the  head, 
at  low  tide,  without  touching  ground ;  and  boasting 
of  what  had  evidently  been  intended  as  a  most 
capacious  warehouse,  but  was  as  yet  in  an  un- 
finished condition. 

On  the  landward  side  of  it  were  huge  rocks  for 
nets,  two  of  which  were  already  filled,  and  along 
the  shore,  seemingly  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach, 
piled  in  tiers,  or  thrown  up  carelessly,  were  lobster- 
pots  in  such  number  that  it  appeared  to  the  lad  as 
if  all  the  fishermen  on  the  coast  might  come  here 
for  their  supply  and  not  diminish  the  stock  per- 
ceptibly. 

"  Jethro  would  ^have  had  quite  a  place,  if  he  'd 
finished  it  up  accordin'  to  his  notions,"  Captain 
Ike  said,  as  he  joined  his  partner,  after  making 
the  Sprite  fast  on  the  side  of  the  dock  opposite 
a  small  fore-and-aft  schooner,  "  When  a  man  sets 
out  to  build  without  first  countin'  the  cost,  ac- 
cordin' to  the  rules  laid  down  in  the  Bible,  he  most 


216  Lobster  Catchers. 

generally  makes  a  mess  of  it,  eh  ?  I  allow  them 
lobster-pots  cost  hard  to  a  thousand  dollars,  there  's 
so  many  of  'em;  an',  take  it  all  in  all,  the  man  has 
spent  a  pile  of  money.  But  what  a  place  this  would 
be  for  a  yard  like  Tom  Dawson's,  keepin'  the  pier 
an'  the  warehouse,  an'  buildin'  a  fence  jest  round 
the  point  where  the  trees  come  down  to  the 
water!  " 

I  don't  suppose  there  's  any  chance  Mr.  Dear- 
ing  can  do  it,  for  people  say  he  has  spent  about  all 
his  money." 

"  Yes,  an'  more,  too,  lad,  accordin'  to  what  I 
hear.  He  's  in  debt  wherever  credit  can  be  found, 
until  a  dollar  no  sooner  comes  in  than  it  has  to  go 
out  for  old  scores." 

At  this  point,  the  owner  of  the  property  came 
down  on  the  pier  to  welcome  his  visitors,  and,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  it  became  necessary  to  explain 
why  Captain  Ike  and  Stephen  were  on  board  the 
Sprite. 

"  So  you  've  gone  into  the  business  on  your  own 
account,  eh  ?  Well,  I  'm  glad  of  it.  Don't  run  in 
debt,  as  I  've  done,  an'  I  'm  allowin'  you  '11  come 
out  at  the  big  end  of  the  horn.  My  mother  used  to 
say  that  a  man  in  debt  was  a  slave  to  his  creditors, 
an'  I  never  realized  it  till  now.  What  are  lobsters 
worth  ?  " 

"  Seein'  's  we  're  so  near  port,  we  '11  give  you 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  217 

fourteen  cents,"  Captain  Ike  replied.  "  We  've 
got  a  matter  of  eight  hundred  aboard  that  cost 
thirteen.      How  many  have  you  got  ?  " 

Well,  there  must  be  a  thousand  or  more, 
though  they  've  been  so  long  in  the  cars  that  I 
can't  reckon  on  takin'  out  much  more  'n  half  as 
many  as  I  put  in.  We  don't  get  any  time  to  go  to 
market  as  we  should,  an'  there  's  no  need  for  me  to 
tell  you,  Captain  Ike,  that  lobsters  won't  live  con- 
tented an'  peaceable  when  they  're  hived  up.  If  I 
had  the  money  to  build  a  yard  like  Tom  Dawson's, 
I  reckon  this  scheme  would  go  through  just  as  I 
first  figgered. " 

"  You  've  got  a  pretty  chance  for  one  here," 
Captain  Ike  said  musingly,  and  the  four  castaways 
who  had  been  standing  in  the  bow  lounged  a  trifle 
farther  aft,  as  if  to  overhear  the  conversation. 

"  There  's  no  better  place  on  the  coast.  Daw- 
son's can't  be  mentioned  in  the  same  day  with  it. 
But,  there!  It  's  no  use  to  talk.  I  wish  I  could 
sell  out,  an'  go  back  to  lobsterin'  with  eighty  or 
ninety  pots.  There  would  be  more  money  in  my 
pocket." 

"  If  I  could  buy,  you  would  n't  have  to  wait  long 
for  a  customer,"  Captain  Ike  said,  emphatically. 
"  What  do  you  figger  this  place  worth  ?  " 

"  Takin'  it  all  in  all,  an'  countin'  the  schooner,  I 
spent  upwards  of  seven  thousand  dollars.     I  owe 


2 1 8  Lobster  Catchers. 

about  four  thousand,  an'  if  I  could  get  enough  to 
pay  my  debts,  I  'd  let  it  go." 

"  It  's  a  bargain,"  Captain  Ike  said,  half  to  him- 
self; "  but  what  's  the  use  of  our  spendin'  time 
talkin'  about  that  ?  All  Stephen  an'  I  are  askin'  is 
to  earn  day  wages,  an'  I  reckon  that  's  about  as 
much  as  we  shall  do.  Goin'  to  let  us  have  the 
lobsters  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  I  shall  have  to.  Are  you  ready  to 
take  'em  aboard  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,  we  '11  pull  right  round  to  the  cars." 

An  hour  was  spent  in  transferring  to  the  Sprite's 
tank,  and  paying  for,  seven  hundred  lobsters;  after 
which  there  was  no  fair  excuse  for  lingering,  and 
good  reason  why  they  should  make  port  with  all 
reasonable  speed. 

They  had  fifteen  hundred  and  fifty  lobsters  on 
board,  to  pay  for  which  all  their  capital  had  been 
exhausted,  and  no  more  business  could  be  done 
that  day. 

Yet,  although  intending  to  call  at  the  red  shanty 
while  Stephen  visited  his  mother,  Captain  Ike  de- 
layed making  ready  for  the  start. 

He  surveyed  the  scene  before  him  with  longing 
eyes,  as  if  it  might  be  possible  he  could  purchase 
the  property  and  build  such  a  yard  as  he  and  his 
partner  had  talked  about ;  until  the  latter  said,  with 
just  a  tinge  of  impatience  in  his  tones: 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  219 

"  We  had  better  be  getting  under  way,  had  n't 
we  ?  That  is,  if  we  still  count  on  putting  in  at  the 
red  shanty." 

"  Yes,  yes,  Stephen.  We  '11  get  off  at  once;  but 
I  declare  it  breaks  my  heart  to  think  that  here  's  a 
chance  to  buy  the  best  piece  of  property  for  our 
business  that  can  be  found  in  the  country,  an'  we 
ain't  able  to  take  advantage  of  it." 

"  Able,  Captain  Ike  ?"  the  lad  said,  laughingly. 
"  Why,  four  thousand  dollars  is  a  fortune;  an'  I  'm 
afraid  we  never  shall  be  able  to  buy  anything  like  it." 

It  was  with  evident  reluctance  that  the  old  man 
finally  tore  himself  away  from  the  contemplation  of 
the  scene;  and  then  the  young  engineer  sent  the 
Sprite  ahead  at  her  best  speed,  for  every  moment 
gained  now  meant  so  many  more  that  he  might  re- 
main at  home,  and  he  was  hungry  for  a  sight  of  his 
mother  and  the  children. 

The  eldest  of  the  castaways  came  to  the  hatch  of 
the  companion-way  stairs  after  the  Sprite  was  well 
on  her  course,  and  said,  in  an  apologetic  tone : 

"  It  is  n't  for  us  to  ask  what  you  are  counting  on 
doing;  but  I  heard  you  speak  of  running  in  to  see 
your  mother  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  's  what  I  intend  to  do." 

"  How  far  do  you  live  from  the  city  ?  " 

"  Only  about  four  miles  by  the  main  road,  though 
it  's  twice  that  distance  by  water." 


220  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Then  I  think  we  had  best  leave  you  there.  I 
won't  say  anything  more  about  what  has  happened, 
for  we  shall  have  better  opportunity  in  town." 

"  Why  don't  you  hold  on,  and  go  around  in  the 
Sprite  ?  Four  miles  is  quite  a  bit  for  fellows  who 
are  not  in  the  habit  of  walking." 

"  I  think  the  tramp  will  do  us  good,  and  we  have 
already  received  too  many  favors  at  your  hands." 

"  No  more  than  you  're  welcome  to;  and  so  far 
as  staying  on  board  the  steamer  until  we  're  at 
Skillings's  dock,  why,  it  does  n't  put  us  out  any." 

"  If  you  are  willing,  we  have  decided  to  go  ashore 
when  you  next  come  to  anchor.  Of  course,  if  the 
Captain  insists  upon  our  staying,  for  any  purpose 
which  he  may  have  in  view,  we  're  ready  to  do  so." 

"  You  mean,  if  he  's  thinking  of  doing  anything 
about  what  happened  over  at  Dawson's  farm  ?  " 
Stephen  asked  quickly,  and  the  boy  nodded. 

"  Well,  I  can  tell  you  that  that  business  is  ended. 
Captain  Ike  ain't  a  man  to  jump  down  on  a  fellow 
unless  there  's  some  good  to  come  of  it;  an'  he 
now  believes  it  was  best  to  do  just  as  we  have 
done." 

"  Then  you  are  willing  we  shall  go  on  shore  ?  " 

"  Willing  ?  Why,  you  are  to  do  as  you  want 
to." 

"  I   think  we  had  better  go,"  the  boy  replied. 

Therefore,  when  the  Sprite  came  to  anchor  within 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  221 

fifty  yards  of  the  red  shanty,  he  and  his  companions, 
after  thanking  Captain  Ike  for  his  forbearance,  were 
set  ashore,  and  immediately  afterward  Stephen  Jor- 
dan started  at  full  speed  for  his  home. 

It  was  a  happy  surprise  that  he  gave  his  mother 
and  the  children,  and  a  loving  welcome  which  he 
received. 

This  had  been  the  first  time  he  ever  remained 
away  from  the  farm  a  single  night,  and  it  seemed, 
as  he  looked  around,  that  he  had  been  absent  a  full 
month. 

Mrs.  Jordan  plied  him  with  questions  concerning 
the  working  of  his  scheme,  as  if  she  had  not  seen 
him  for  many  a  long  day  and  hardly  expected  to 
have  another  opportunity  within  any  reasonable 
length  of  time. 

While  the  children  clambered  upon  his  knees — for 
Stephen  was  so  much  older  than  his  sisters  and 
brother  that  he  appeared  in  their  eyes  much  like  a 
father — he  told  his  mother  all  the  details  of  the  busi- 
ness venture,  causing  the  good  woman  to  hold  up 
both  hands  in  astonishment  as  he  spoke  of  the 
profits  that  had  already  been  earned. 

She  had  already  heard  regarding  the  Vera. 

Captain  Skillings  had  told  her  when  he  brought 
the  ten  dollars,  with  many  a  word  of  praise  for  the 
ability  Stephen  displayed,  and,  from  what  the  mer- 
chant said,  she  was  almost  ready  to  believe  a  certain 


222  Lobster  Catchers. 

amount  of  money,  say  perhaps  a  hundred  dollars, 
had  been  honestly  earned  in  the  way  of  salvage. 

The  future  looked  bright  to  this  little  household 
as  they  discussed  the  position  of  affairs;  and,  but  for 
the  fact  that  Deacon  Brackett  still  insisted  his 
nephew  had  no  right  to  engage  in  an  enterprise 
without  his  consent,  the  Jordan  family  would  have 
been  very  happy. 

"  He  claims  to  have  the  right  to  prevent  you 
from  running  the  Sprite,''  Mrs.  Jordan  said  sadly; 
"  but  Captain  Skillings  has  told  me  that  Joshua 
has  no  claim  whatever  upon  you." 

"  Of  course  he  has  n't,  mother;  but  yet  he  might 
be  able  to  make  trouble  for  me.  When  was  he 
here  last  ? " 

"  Yesterday.  He  came  to  see  if  you  really  had 
sent  me  ten  dollars." 

"  And  I  suppose  said  all  manner  of  ugly  things 
to  make  you  cry  ?  " 

"  He  was  n't  as  kind  as  I  wish  he  had  been," 
Mrs.  Jordan  replied  evasively;  and  then,  in  order 
to  change  the  subject,  insisted  on  preparing  an  early 
supper,  that  Stephen  might  have  one  more  "  meal 
of  his  mother's  cooking." 

"  I  'd  like  to  stay;  but  Captain  Ike  is  waiting  for 
me,  and  we  've  got  half  a  tank  full  of  lobsters  that 
must  be  taken  out  as  soon  as  possible,  for  we  can't 
afford  to  stand  any  loss  on  them." 


Jethro  Dearing's  Venture.  223 

"  But  to-morrow  is  Saturday,  and  surely  you  can- 
not go  on  another  cruise.  I  hope  you  have  n't  any 
intention  of  working  on  the  Sabbath,  Stephen  ? " 

"  Captain  Ike  claims  that  we  will  take  out  our 
cargo  in  the  morning,  get  fresh  coal  aboard,  an' 
run  down  the  bay  forty  or  fifty  miles,  where  we  can 
lay  over  Sunday,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  get  to  work 
Monday  morning." 

"  But  you  are  coming  home  again  soon  ? " 

"  Of  course  I  am,  mother;  and  the  next  time,  if 
nothing  goes  against  us  in  the  way  of  business,  I  '11 
have  with  me  money  enough  to  pay  Dyer  &  Jose, 
and  perhaps  buy  a  barrel  of  flour." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

MR.    HAMILTON. 

IT  was  destined  that  the  Sprite  should  not  run 
down  the  bay  on  the  following  day,  and  that 
Stephen  would  spend  the  Sabbath  in  the  city  rather 
than  at  home  with  his  family. 

When  he  arrived  at  the  shore,  after  visiting  his 
mother,  he  found  Captain  Ike,  who  had  landed  in 
the  skiff,  evidently  to  wait  for  him,  sitting  with  his 
eyes  fixed  upon  the  surf,  and  apparently  plunged  in 
deep  thought. 

Not  until  the  lad  spoke  was  the  fisherman  aware 
of  his  presence,  and  then  he  looked  up  with  a  start 
as  he  said, — 

"  When  an  old  man  like  me  goes  to  buildin' 
castles  in  the  air,  it  's  a  pretty  serious  case,  eh, 
Stephen  ? " 

"  Is  that  what  you  have  been  doing  ? " 

"  Ay,  lad;  this  half  hour  or  more,  an'  it  's  time  I 
was  'wakened  out  of  the  dream." 

"  Figuring  how  much  profit  we  are  to  make  from 
this  cargo  of  lobsters  ? " 

"  I  was  goin'  farther  afield  than  that,  lad.  I  had 
got  down  as  far  as  Jethro  Dearing's  place,  an'  was 

224 


Mr.  Hamilton.  225 

dreamin'  we  owned  it ;  that  we  had  a  yard  bigger  'n 
Tom  Dawson's,  an'  was  into  the  lobster  business  on 
such  a  scale  that  when  big  dealers  like  Captain 
Skillin's  had  an  order  from  New  York  or  Boston, 
they  'd  come  straight  to  us  with  it,  payin'  a  little 
more  than  the  average  fisherman  could  get,  'cause 
our  stock,  bein'  fatted  up,  so  to  speak,  was  worth  a 
higher  price  than  the  general  run." 

"  I  suppose  you  had  counted  on  owning  a  craft 
like  the  Sprite,  if  you  got  as  rich  as  that,  Captain 
Ike  ?  "  Stephen  said  laughingly. 

"  To  be  sure,  lad,  to  be  sure;  although  I  'm  not 
so  certain,  while  I  'm  fixin'  this  up  to  suit  my  own 
fancy,  that  I  won't  figger  for  a  bigger  smack  than 
yonder  craft,"  and  he  pointed  with  his  thumb 
toward  the  steamer,  which  yet  lay  at  anchor  oppo- 
site the  red  shanty.  "  It  don't  cost  any  more,  you 
know,  when  a  man  's  layin'  money  out  in  his  mind, 
to  have  all  the  modern  improvements.  I  should  go 
in  for  a  craft  with  a  bigger  tank,  an'  capable  of  more 
speed,  so  that  we  could  run  into  market  from  here, 
say  in  less  than  an  hour's  time,  or  make  a  trip  up  to 
Hawk's  Reef  in  half  a  day.  There  's  a  good  chance 
for  money  in  this  'ere  business,  Stephen  Jordan,  if 
a  man  's  got  the  capital  to  invest.  Now,  say  six 
thousand  dollars;  it  ain't  such  a  terrible  amount  of 
money  in  the  eyes  of  some  people,  yet  see  where  it 
would  set  us  ?     We  could  have  all  I  've  dreamed  of, 


226  Lobster  Catchers. 

an'  be  earnin'  every  year  half  as  much  as  the  capital 
invested." 

I  don't  question  but  all  that  's  true,  Captain 
Ike;  and  yet,  do  you  believe  we  '11  ever  have  as 
much,  however  long  you  and  I  may  be  in  business 
together — as  much  money  as  that  ?  " 

I  don't  s'pose  we  shall,  lad,  to  tell  the  truth; 
but  yet  many  a  man  has  made  it  before  he  was  as 
old  as  I  am.  You  know,  I  don't  believe  in  luck, 
therefore  I  've  got  to  say  it  must  be  my  own  care- 
lessness or  heedlessness  that  sets  me  down  here  lob- 
sterin'  on  money  somebody  else  has  lent  us.  Capi- 
tal is  a  good  thing.  There  's  the  Sprite.  Captain 
Skillin's  would  be  glad  to  sell  her  for  five  hundred 
dollars,  and  yet  we  will  have  earned  for  him,  by  the 
time  this  cargo  is  discharged,  nigh  on  to  a  fifteenth 
of  that  already,  and  a  week  has  n't  gone  by.  When 
a  man  's  got  capital,  the  money  comes  in  without 
his  being  obliged  to  do  very  much  work;  leastways, 
that  's  how  it  seems  to  me." 

"  Don't  you  think  we  would  get  better  returns  if, 
instead  of  hanging  around  here  talking  of  the  im- 
possible, we  got  under  way  and  run  into  town  ?  " 
Stephen  asked  laughingly.  "  I  want  to  see  those 
lobsters  in  Captain  Skillings's  cars  before  the  price 
goes  down  any." 

"  We  must  hold  to  eighteen  dollars  an'  a  half, 
lad,   for  that   's  what  we  got  yesterday,  and  then 


Mr.  Hamilton.  227 

we  '11  be  makin',  as  nigh  as  I  reckon  it,  over  seventy- 
five  dollars." 

"  Let  us  see  just  exactly  what  it  will  come  to"  ; 
and  after  figuring  up  his  accounts,  tracing  the 
figures  on  the  sand  with  a  stick,  Stephen  announced 
triumphantly : 

"  It  amounts  to  seventy-eight,  twenty-five,  Cap- 
tain Ike;  and  half  of  that  belongs  to  us.  Just  think 
of  thirty-nine  dollars  and  twelve  cents  for  two  days' 
work !  ' ' 

"  Yes,"  the  old  man  replied,  with  a  tinge  of  sad- 
ness in  his  tones;  "  an'  yet  on  his  investment  Cap- 
tain Skillin's  makes  as  much  without  turnin'  a  hair 
as  we  do  with  plenty  of  hard  work." 

It  can't  be  helped,  partner,"  the  lad  said 
cheerily.  "  It  can't  be  helped;  at  least,  not  until 
we  've  earned  enough  to  buy  the  Sprite;  and  at  the 
rate  we  're  going  on  it  won't  be  a  great  while  before 
we  can  say  to  the  Captain  that  we  're  ready  to  pay 
him  his  price  for  the  steamer." 

"  How  's  your  mother  ?  "  the  old  man  asked 
abruptly. 

"  She  's  well;  but  Uncle  Joshua  was  around  yes- 
terday making  a  fuss." 

Well,  let  him  keep  on  a  spell  longer,  an'  then 
I  '11  take  a  hand,  same  's  I  did  when  he  came 
aboard  the  Sprite.  We  '11  put  a  damper  on  him  in 
short  order  when  we  're  a  little  forehanded;  an'  I  '11 


228  Lobster  Catchers. 

be  thinkin'  up  how  it  shall  be  done  'twixt  now  and 
Monday  mornin'." 

"  Then  we  're  ready  to  start  ?  " 

"  Yes,  lad,  an'  the  sooner  we  get  away  the  better. 
It  's  kind  of  a  pity  those  four  boys  did  n't  hang  on 
an'  go  in  with  us.  I  'm  inclined  to  think  the  lads 
ain't  altogether  bad.  If  they  had  been  in  the  habit 
of  stealin',  you  would  n't  have  seen  'em  come  round 
the  way  they  did.  Reg'larly  ashamed  an'  sorry,  all 
of  'em  acted ;  an'  this  leavin'  when  we  was  a  matter 
of  four  miles  or  more  from  port,  shows  that  they 
really  felt  it." 

Then  Captain  Ike  pushed  off  the  skiff,  Stephen 
leaped  aboard,  and  ten  minutes  later  the  Sprite  was 
gliding  past  the  red  shanty  on  her  way  to  the  port 
with  as  large  a  cargo  as  the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Dyer 
had  the  capital  to  purchase. 

Shortly  afterward,  Captain  Ike  whistled  down 
through  the  tube,  as  if  a  sudden  and  important 
thought  had  come  to  him,  and  when  his  partner 
responded,  he  said  gravely : 

"  Look  you,  Stephen:  this  is  the  third  cruise 
we  've  made  with  a  handsome  profit  of  our  own. 
Now  that  the  twenty-two  dollars  has  come  back, 
we  must  be  pretty  near  a  hundred  dollars  better  off 
than  we  was  last  Monday  mornin' ;  but  I  don't  want 
you  to  get  into  the  habit  of  thinkin'  this  kind  of 
business  is  goin'  to  last.     The  day  must  come  when 


Mr.  Hamilton.  229 

we  '11  go  out  an'  meet  with  a  loss,  or  fail  to  find  any 
lobsters,  or  somethin'  will  turn  up  to  give  us  a  black 
eye.  So  it  won't  do  for  you  to  build  any  such  air 
castles  as  I  was  workin'  out  a  little  while  ago." 

"  Don't  fear,  Captain  Ike,"  Stephen  replied 
cheerily.  "  I  sha'n't  get  into  any  bad  habits  of  that 
kind,  for  the  very  good  reason  that  the  facts  are 
enough  for  me.  Two  weeks  ago  I  would  n't  have 
believed  it  was  possible  I  could  have  earned  so 
much  money  during  the  whole  winter." 

"  But  the  day  is  comin'  when  we  've  got  to  meet 
with  a  loss,  lad,  so  keep  your  calculations  down  to 
proper  trim." 

Owing  to  a  head  wind  and  a  heavy  sea,  it  was  late 
in  the  evening  before  the  Sprite  had  been  made  fast 
to  the  Skillings  dock,  and  the  captain  and  engineer 
"  turned  in  "  for  a  night's  rest  which  had  been 
thoroughly  earned. 

When  morning  came,  and  the  old  porter  from  the 
warehouse  awakened  them  with  his  gruff  "  How 
are  you,  my  hearties  ?  "  the  sun  was  shining  brightly  : 
altogether  too  brightly,  so  Captain  Ike  thought  five 
minutes  later,  when  he  received  reply  to  his  question : 

"  What  are  lobsters  worth  this  mornin'  ?  " 

' '  They  were  sellin'  for  seventeen  and  a  half  last 
night." 

Captain  Ike  whistled ;  looked  around  in  an  in- 
jured sort  of  way  at  the  vessels  lying  near  at  hand, 


.230  Lobster  Catchers. 

and,  stooping  until  he  could  see  the  bunk  in  which 
Stephen  lay,  said,  with  a  grimace,- — 

"  We  counted  our  chickens  a  little  too  soon,  lad. 
There  's  fifteen  dollars  an'  a  half  to  come  off  the 
profits,  as  you  figgered  'em  up.  That 's  the  trouble 
with  this  'ere  fish  business.  A  man  's  apt  to  get  his 
hopes  'way  up,  an'  then  have  'em  knocked  down  so 
far  that  it  makes  him  quiver." 

Did  n't  you  warn  me  yesterday  against  expect- 
ing too  much  ?  "  Stephen  asked,  with  no  trace  of 
disappointment  because  the  lobster  market  was  not 
firm. 

"  Yes,  I  reckon  I  did;  yet  I  counted  on  gettin' 
as  much  for  the  cargo  as  was  paid  day  before  yester- 
day. Anyhow,  they  've  got  to  go  into  Skillin's's 
cars,  no  matter  what  the  price  is ;  so  turn  out,  an* 
we  '11  be  rid  of  'em  before  breakfast." 

When  the  fish-dealer  came  to  his  warehouse  on 
this  morning,  the  Sprite  s  tank  was  empty,  and  the 
partners  were  settling  accounts  with  the  bookkeeper. 

"  How  many  did  you  bring  in  ?  "  he  asked  with- 
out other  salutation. 

"  Fifteen,  fiftyo" 

"  Look  here,  Captain  Ike,  you  and  Stephen  Jor- 
dan are  rushin'  business,  ain't  you  ?  Forty-eight 
hours  out,  an'  picked  up  near  two  thousand !  How 
much  did  you  pay  for  'em  ?  " 

"  We   gave   Jethro    Dearing    fourteen    cents  for 


Mr.  Hamilton.  231 

seven  hundred,  and  the  balance  we  got  for  thirteen." 

"  I  wish  all  my  smacks  were  doin'  as  well  as  you 
are,"  Captain  Skillings  said,  thoughtfully.  "  I  'm 
not  certain  but  that  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  give 
you  two  the  big  steamer.  She  came  in  yesterday 
from  Nova  Scotia  with  only  thirty-six  hundred,  and 
should  have  had  three  times  as  many." 

"  I  'm  not  allowin'  we  could  do  as  well  down  in 
the  Provinces,  'cause,  you  see,  we  know  'em  round 
here,  an'  it  's  dealin'  with  old  friends ;  but  I  'm  glad 
you  're  satisfied  with  the  work,  Captain  Skillin's." 

"  I  can't  well  help  bein'  satisfied,  and  if  business 
keeps  on  like  this  we  '11  have  to  make  a  new  trade, 
for  the  Sprite  's  earnin'  too  much  money  accordin' 
to  her  value.     Why  don't  you  buy  her  outright  ?  " 

"  Considering  the  fact  that  we  've  been  borrowing 
capital  from  you  to  pay  for  our  cargo,  I  don't  think 
we  're  in  very  good  condition  for  making  such  a 
trade,"  Stephen  said,  feeling  in  wonderfully  high 
spirits,  even  though  the  price  of  lobsters  had  fallen, 
because  the  merchant  was  so  well  satisfied  with  their 
work. 

"  It  would  be  a  poor  trade  for  me  to  make  in 
view  of  how  much  the  Sprite  is  payin'  just  now; 
but  whenever  you  two  think  I  'm  gettin'  more  than 
a  fair  share  of  the  profits,  come  and  say  so.  Then 
I'll  sell  you  the  smack,  an'  take  your  note  for  her. 
What  are  you  countin'  on  doing  to-day  ?  " 


232  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  We  allowed  to  put  in  coal,  and  then  run  down 
the  bay  twenty  miles  or  more,  so  's  to  be  ready  for 
business  early  Monday  mornin'." 

"  I  guess  you  'd  better  hang  around  here  for  a 
spell.  There  's  a  party  just  come  down  from  Bos- 
ton who  wants  to  see  you." 

"  Wants  to  see  us  !  "  Stephen  repeated,  in  sur- 
prise. 

"  Yes;  it  's  Mr.  Hamilton,  owner  of  the  Vera, 
and  the  father  of  the  girl  captain  you  picked  up." 

"  What  does  he  want  of  us  ?  "  Captain  Ike  asked, 
looking  around  quickly. 

"  Well,  I  can't  say  exactly  that,  though  I  might 
come  pretty  near  guessin'  it.  His  yacht  is  here  in 
the  dry  dock,  and  it  may  be  that  his  only  purpose 
in  comin'  was  to  look  after  her;  but  I  fancy  the 
matter  of  salvage  is  on  his  mind,  although  he  has  n't 
spoken  to  me  about  it.  What  am  I  to  say,  in  case 
he  does  make  any  talk  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  you  know  about  that  better  'n  we  can 
tell  you,"  Captain  Ike  replied,  and  immediately,  his 
thoughts  going  back  to  those  dreams  of  the  previous 
day,  he  said,  with  assumed  carelessness:  "  We  was 
lookin'  over  Jethro  Dearing's  place  yesterday.  He  's 
got  a  mighty  fine  chance  for  a  scheme  like  Tom 
Dawson's." 

"  He  is  in  hard  lines,  is  n't  he,  with  havin'  spent 
more  money  than  he  owned  ?  " 


Mr.  Hamilton.  233 

"  Yes,  the  place  cost  him  seven  thousand  dollars; 
and  from  what  he  says  I  reckon  he  '11  sell  for  a  little 
more  'n  half  that.  It  would  be  a  big  trade  for 
somebody  who  wanted  to  go  into  the  business." 

"  Don't  you  spend  your  money  before  it 's  earned, 
you  two.  Thinkin'  of  goin'  into  the  lobster  busi- 
ness on  a  scale  such  as  Tom  Dawson  begun,  because 
of  havin'  made  three  payin'  cruises,  eh  ? " 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,"  the  old  fisherman  replied,  de- 
cidedly ;  "  but  a  man  can't  come  across  such  a  prop- 
erty as  that  without  thinkin'  what  a  chance  there  is 
to  make  money." 

"  Jethro  won't  sell  his  place  for  quite  a  spell,  no 
matter  how  low  he  puts  it ;  because  there  ain't  many 
men  who  want  to  go  into  the  business  of  buyin* 
lobsters,  an'  less  of  them  who  have  got  capital 
enough  to  carry  it  on.  Perhaps  by  this  time  next 
year,  you  and  Stephen  can  make  some  kind  of  a 
trade.  It  won't  do  any  harm  to  put  coal  aboard 
early  this  mornin' ;  but  after  that  's  been  done,  you 
had  better  come  back  here,  because  Hamilton  is 
likely  to  be  round  decently  early." 

Then  the  merchant  attended  to  more  important 
business  than  that  of  chatting  familiarly  with  the 
crew  of  his  lobster-smack,  and  the  partners  went  on 
board  the  steamer,  Stephen  asking,  when  they  were 
alone  in  the  engine-room : 

Do    you    suppose    Mr.    Hamilton    would    be 


234  Lobster  Catchers. 

willing  to  pay  us  as  much  as  a  hundred  dollars  for 
saving  the  yacht  ?  " 

He  ought  to  give  a  good  deal  more,  for  she  'd 
have  been  stove  to  pieces  if  we  had  n't  happened 
along  jest  as  we  did.  But  what  about  it,  in  case  we 
should  get  a  hundred  ?  " 

I  was  only  thinking,  that  if  any  such  good 
fortune  did  befall  us  I  'd  be  able  to  pay  what  I  owe 
Dyer  &  Jose,  and  buy  mother  a  barrel  of  flour.  " 

"  You  shall  do  that  anyhow,  lad;  for  I'  m  not 
needin'  my  share  of  the  profits,  an'  you  might  as 
well  have  'em  as  not." 

"  That  would  be  robbing  Peter  to  pay  Paul,  and 
I  should  n't  be  any  better  off  if  I  owed  you  than 
to  let  the  bill  stay  where  it  is." 

"  That 's  all  very  true ;  but  you  'd  have  a  creditor 
that  you  could  count  on,  though  I  ain't  sayin'  Dyer 
&  Jose  don't  make  things  easy  for  you." 

"  They  are  not  fussing  about  their  money,  so  far 
as  I  know;  but  I  want  to  be  out  of  debt,  Captain 
Ike,  and  see  mother  and  the  children  with  the 
things  they  need." 

"  All  that  will  come  in  time,  an'  it  won't  be  such 
a  very  long  while  either,  lad,  no  matter  which  way 
the  price  of  lobsters  goes,  so  set  your  heart  at  rest ; 
and  if  this  is  to  be  a  day  of  loafin',  as  seems  likely 
if  we  're  to  hang  round  for  that  Boston  man,  we  '11 
try  to  enjoy  it." 


Mr.  Hamilton.  235 

Stephen  had  already  started  the  fire  in  the  fur- 
nace, and  the  little  craft  was  run  around  to  the  coal 
docks,  where  was  taken  on  a  modest  supply  of  fuel 
sufficient  to  fill  the  partially  empty  'bunkers. 

Then  the  two  came  back  to  Skillings's  dock;  the 
fire  was  drawn,  and  the  steamer  put  into  the  best 
condition  possible  for  the  reception  of  the  Vera  s 
owner. 

Mr.  Hamilton  did  not  make  his  appearance  until 
nearly  noon,  and  then  Captain  Skillings  sent  for 
Jordan  &  Dyer,  inviting  them  into  his  office. 

They  were  introduced  in  due  form  to  the  man 
whose  yacht  they  had  towed  into  port ;  and  he 
began  the  interview  by  thanking  them  in  no  meas- 
ured terms  for  having  saved  his  daughter,  showing 
that  he  understood  right  well  all  the  dangers  to 
which  the  pleasure  seekers  had  been  exposed,  when 
he  said; 

But  for  you  two,  I  question  if  we  should  have 
heard  of  the  yacht  again ;  for,  while  reasonably 
staunch,  she  was  not  built  for  bad  weather,  and  it 
takes  a  pretty  good  craft  to  wallow  in  a  heavy  sea 
without  even  so  much  as  screw  or  canvas  to  hold 
her  steady." 

"  There  was  one  spell  when  I  was  doubtful 
whether  we  could  get  her  into  port  or  not,"  Captain 
Ike  said,  in  a  matter-of-fact  tone ;  not  for  the  pur- 
pose of  boasting  as  to  what  had  been  done,  but  in 


236  Lobster  Catchers. 

order  that  the  owner  of  the  Vera  might  the  better 
understand  the  situation.  "  The  Sprite  was  n't 
built  for  towin',  as  you  can  fancy,  and  it  seemed 
little  short  of  wonderful  that  the  bitt  which  was  put 
in  only  to  serve  as  somethin'  to  which  a  hawser 
could  be  made  fast,  should  have  held  the  strain  we  set 
on  it,  runnin'  against  head  wind  and  in  a  heavy  sea." 

"  I  suppose  you  two  have  thought  that  there 
should  be  something  coming  to  you  by  way  of 
salvage,  have  n't  you  ?  " 

"  It  's  been  spoken  of  between  us,  sir;  but  not 
to  any  great  extent.  I  'd  like  to  have  you  an'  Cap- 
tain Skillin's  understand  right  here,  if  you  're  goin' 
to  talk  any  thin'  of  the  kind,  that  the  biggest  share 
of  the  thanks,  or  money,  or  whatever  comes  out  of 
it,  belongs  to  my  partner.  If  it  had  n't  been  for 
him,  I  'd  have  kept  on  to  Seal  Harbor,  with  the  idee 
that  I  could  n't  be  of  any  service  to  a  steamer  in 
distress,  and  was  bound,  seein'  's  how  I  was  in 
charge  of  other  people's  property,  to  look  to  the 
interest  of  my  owner.  Stephen,*  here,  would  n't 
hear  of  holdin'  our  course,  an'  I  was  what  you 
might  call  forced  to  answer  that  'ere  signal  of  dis- 
tress; so,  as  I  started  to  say,  if  there  's  anythin' 
comin',  whatever  it  be,  the  biggest  part  of  it  be- 
longs to  him." 

"  You  and  he  seem  to  be  pretty  good  friends," 
Mr.  Hamilton  said  smilingly. 


Mr.  Hamilton.  237 

"  Well,  we  're  partners;  an'  I  knew  his  father,  an' 
the  boy  is  workin'  hard  to  get  along  and  keep  his 
mother  an'  the  children  together,  an'  he  's  got  a 
curmudgeon  of  an  uncle  that  's  jumpin'  down  on 
him,  or  tryin'  to ;  an',  take  it  all  in  all,  he  's  a  likely 
lad,  who  's  well  worth  any  lift  that  can  be  given 
him." 

"  Tell  me  how  you  two  chance  to  be  in  business 
together  ? "  Mr.  Hamilton  asked  ;  and  Captain 
Skillings,  probably  thinking  such  conversation  was 
neither  more  nor  less  than  a  waste  of  time,  excused 
himself  to  attend  to  some  particular  duty  which  was 
pressing  at  that  moment,  leaving  the  three  alone. 

Then  Captain  Ike  went  into  the  details  of  his 
partner's  history,  despite  the  latter's  most  earnest 
protests,  and  by  the  time  he  had  come  to  an  end, 
Mr.  Hamilton  knew  quite  as  much  concerning  the 
history  of  Ben  Jordan's  family  as  any  one  not  im- 
mediately connected  with  it  could  be  expected  to 
know. 

He  had  been  interested,  as  was  shown  by  the  fact 
that  he  asked  closely  as  to  the  amount  of  money 
which  had  been  made  since  they  went  into  partner- 
ship ;  inquired  regarding  the  general  working  of  the 
lobster-catching  and  buying  industry,  and,  in  fact, 
seemed  bent  on  gaining  all  possible  information  re- 
garding these  two  who  had  rendered  him  so  great  a 
service. 


238  Lobster  Catchers. 

It  would  have  been  strange  if  Captain  Ike,  whose 
air-castles  of  the  previous  day  were  not  yet  wholly 
demolished,  had  refrained  from  speaking  of  the 
Jethro  Dearing  property,  or  neglected  to  tell  of  Tom 
Dawson's  experiment  in  farming.  It  would  have 
been  equally  odd  if  he  had  held  his  peace  concern- 
ing Deacon  Joshua  Brackett,  or  failed  to  mention 
incidentally  the  theft  of  the  money,  and  the  sequel 
to  it. 

In  fact,  had  the  old  fisherman  been  doing  his  best 
to  make  the  stranger  familiar  with  all  Stephen's  life 
and  plans,  he  could  not  have  succeeded  better. 
And  when  Captain  Skillings  returned,  after  an  ab- 
sence of  more  than  an  hour,  the  story  had  but  just 
been  brought  to  a  conclusion. 

"  Well,  if  Ike  Dyer  's  been  yarnin'  all  this  time, 
Mr.  Hamilton,  you  must  be  ready  to  come  out  for 
lunch  with  me.  There  's  more  than  I  have  ever 
seen  in  the  lobster  business  if  it  takes  so  long  to 
tell  about  it." 

"  I  'm  quite  ready  to  accompany  you,  Mr.  Skill- 
ings, and  have  to  thank  my  friends  here  for  a  very 
pleasant  and  entertaining  visit.  I  think  there  is 
nothing  more  to  be  done  this  morning.  If  the 
question  of  salvage  on  the  Vera  arises,  I  would  like  to 
know  whether  you  are  impowered  to  settle  with  me." 

"  I  reckon  I  am,"  the  dealer  replied.  "  Eh,  Cap- 
tain Ike  ?  "  he  added,  turning  to  the  fisherman. 


Mr.  Hamilton.  239 

"  Whatever  Captain  Skillin's  says,  the  lad  an'  I 
will  hold  to ;  but,  first  an'  foremost,  let  it  be  under- 
stood,— an'  I  'm  sayin'  this  on  account  of  the  boy, 
who  don't  look  at  the  matter  of  salvage  as  it  seems 
to  me  he  ought, — we  two  ain't  makin'  any  claim  for 
what  was  done  when  we  found  the  yacht  in  distress. 
As  Stephen  puts  it,  it  was  a  matter  of  savin'  lives 
with  us,  an'  not  the  earnin'  of  money  that  sent  us 
down  upon  the  toy  yacht." 

"  I  have  said  as  much  as  that  to  Mr.  Hamilton 
already,"  Captain  Skillings  interrupted,  "  and  think 
he  understands  the  matter  thoroughly." 

Then,  without  any  attempt  at  ceremony,  the  mer- 
chant led  his  guest  out  of  the  office,  leaving  the 
partners  to  follow  the  dictates  of  their  own 
fancies. 

"  He  's  a  nice-spoken  kind  of  a  man,  eh,  lad?  " 
Captain  Ike  said,  interrogatively,  as  they  went  on 
board  the  Sprite. 

"  He  is,  indeed;  and  I  hope  Captain  Skillings 
won't  insist  upon  our  being  paid  for  what  we  did." 

"  You  can  trust  him  to  do  the  right  thing  at  the 
right  moment,  an'  need  n't  bother  your  head  about 
it." 

"  I  wish  you  had  n't  told  the  gentleman  so  much 
about  me." 

"  Why  not  ?" 

"  Because,  first,  there  was  no  need  of  it;  and,  in 


240  Lobster  Catchers. 

the  second  place,  it  looked  as  if  I  was  trying  to 
make  myself  out  something  big,  when  it  is  n't  true." 

"  Why,  bless  you,  lad,  you  had  nothing  to  do 
with  it.  I  did  all  the  talkin',  an'  if  we  had  had  more 
time,  I  'd  have  said  more.  It  ain't  jest  the  thing  to 
praise  a  lad  to  his  face;  but  you  're  a  good  son, 
Stephen,  an'  a  honest  partner,  an'  it 's  my  intention 
that  them  we  come  afoul  of  shall  know  it.  I  reckon 
your  uncle  Joshua  would  make  the  thing  out  differ- 
ent, and  perhaps  some  might  believe  him ;  so,  for 
that  reason,  I  talk  all  the  louder  when  the  chance 
comes." 

"  Well,  you  talked  louder  than  I  deserved  this 
day,"  Stephen  said  laughingly;  "  and  it  's  time 
now  we  were  attending  to  business.  What  are  we 
going  to  do  ?  " 

"It  's  too  late  to  do  anythin'  but  lay  right 
here  ? " 

"  Then,  there  's  a  chance  for  me  to  go  home  ? " 

"  I  don't  think  so,  Stephen.  While  that  'ere  Mr. 
Hamilton  is  in  town,  or  leastways,  until  next  Mon- 
day mornin',  I  'd  like  to  have  you  on  hand  in  case 
he  's  got  any  talk  to  make.  There  's  no  knowin' 
what  he  may  do,  and  I  want  to  be  certain  your  dish 
ain't  bottom  up  when  it  rains  porridge." 


CHAPTER   XV. 

OVERBOARD. 

THERE  was  no  idea  in  Stephen's  mind  that 
there  might  be  a  shower  of  "  porridge  "  in  his 
vicinity  because  of  Mr.  Hamilton's  arrival. 

It  was,  he  admitted  to  himself,  possible  that  the 
gentleman  might  pay  something  for  the  labor  per- 
formed in  saving  the  Vera ;  but  that  any  consider- 
able amount  of  money  had  been  earned  the  young 
engineer  denied. 

The  gentleman  had  been  exceedingly  friendly 
with  them,  and  appeared  deeply  interested  in  all 
Captain  Ike  had  told  him ;  but  it  would  be  foolish, 
simply  because  of  such  friendliness,  to  think  that 
the  owner  of  the  Vera  had  it  in  his  mind  to  pay  out 
more  money  than  was  absolutely  necessary. 

All  this  Stephen  said  to  himself;  to  his  partner 
he  remarked  laughingly : 

"  I  '11  keep  my  dish  right  side  up,  Captain  Ike; 
but  there  won't  be  any  porridge  falling  near  me, 
except  that  which  has  been  earned  by  hard  work." 

"  Nobody  knows  what  may  happen,"  the  old 
fisherman  replied,  shaking  his  head  with  an  assump- 
tion of  wisdom  or  mystery. 

16 

241 


242  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  And  you,  who  always  have  so  much  to  say 
against  loafing,  are  willing  to  lie  here  all  the  after- 
noon, when  we  might  be  running  down  the  harbor, 
making  ready  for  Monday's  business." 

The  way  I  look  at  it  is  like  this,"  Captain  Ike 
said,  speaking  slowly,  as  if  weighing  well  each  word  : 
"  Mr.  Hamilton  is,  so  to  speak,  visitin'  us  two,  an' 
it  stands  us  in  hand  to  be  perlite  to  him.  I  ain't 
meanin'  to  claim  he  's  come  all  the  way  from  Boston 
on  purpose  to  see  you  an'  me;  but  inasmuch  as  he 
was  called  here  on  account  of  the  Vera,  he  says  to 
himself,  says  he,  '  I  '11  put  in  some  of  my  time  with 
them  'ere  lobster  buyers  what  brought  the  yacht 
into  port,  an'  maybe  I  can  learn  a  wrinkle  or  two.' 
Then  he  comes  down  to  the  dock,  countin'  on 
havin'  a  chat  with  Captain  Skillin's  at  the  same 
time,  an'  instead  of  waitin'  till  he  's  finished  his 
visitin',  we  leave  port.  Do  you  think  that  would 
be  treatin'  him  right,  lad  ?  " 

"  If  he  really  wants  to  see  us,  we  should  stay  here 
at  least  until  Monday,"  Stephen  replied,  thought- 
fully ;  "  but  I  don't  think  he  would  so  much  as  have 
stepped  foot  on  this  dock  if  Captain  Skillings 
had  n't  been  here." 

"  Perhaps  he  might  n't,  an'  then  agin'  perhaps  he 
might.  At  any  rate,  we  sha'n't  be  losin'  such  a  ter- 
rible lot  of  time,  an'  I  go  in  for  holdin'  on." 

By  this  time  the  two  were  on  board  the  Sprite 


Overboard.  243 

once  more,  and,  seating  themselves  on  the  deck 
well  aft,  where  could  be  had  a  view  of  Captain 
Skillings's  employees,  taking  lobsters  from  the  cars, 
or  putting  more  in,  the  old  man  resumed  work  on 
his  air-castle,  even  while  admitting  freely  that  it 
would  probably  never  be  possible  he  and  Stephen 
could  earn  sufficient  money  with  which  to  purchase 
the  Jethro  Dearing  property. 

If  you  an'  I  had  the  deed  of  it  in  our  pockets 
this  very  minute,  with  cash  enough  to  build  a  fence 
an'  fix  things  up  a  bit,  I  'd  claim  that  we  'd  be  rich 
men  in  less  'n  three  years,"  he  said,  meditatively; 
and  Stephen  agreed  with  his  partner,  at  the  same 
time  that  he  declared  positively  they  could  never 
hope  to  arrive  at  such  a  happy  stage. 

The  hours  passed,  and  yet  neither  Captain  Skill- 
ings  nor  Mr.  Hamilton  returned. 

More  than  once  the  old  fisherman  went  ashore  to 
have  a  look  in  the  office,  thinking  the  owner  of  the 
Vera  might  be  there  with  the  fish-dealer,  and  when 
the  night  had  nearly  come,  one  of  the  clerks,  observ- 
ing Captain  Ike's  inquiring  glances,  asked : 

"  Looking  for  the  boss  ?  " 

"  I  only  wanted  to  know  if  he  'd  got  back,  that  's 
all;  there  was  n't  anythin'  pertic'lar  on  my  mind." 

"  He  and  the  gentleman  you  were  talking  with 
went  away  in  the  Nautilus  early  this  afternoon." 

The   Nautilus   was    the   large    steamer    Captain 


244  Lobster  Catchers. 

Skillings  had  lately  built.  She  was  lying  at  the  head 
of  the  dock  when  the  crew  of  the  Sprite  went  aboard 
their  craft,  and,  hidden  by  the  vessels  nearabout, 
had  gotten  under  way  unseen  by  those  who  believed 
they  were  called  upon  to  entertain  Mr.  Hamilton. 

Captain  Ike  was  in  a  disagreeable  humor  when  he 
returned  to  his  partner. 

"  I  'm  glad  we  hung  round  here  wastin'  our  time 
with  the  idee  that  the  Boston  chap  might  want  to 
see  us,"  he  said  sarcastically;  and  Stephen  asked, 
with  a  quiet  smile, 

"  Has  Mr.  Hamilton  gone  home  ?  " 

"  No;  but  he  an'  Captain  Skillin's  have  put  off 
for  a  sail  in  the  Nautilus,  leavin'  us  here  to  cool  our 
heels  as  best  we  may." 

"  Did  you  expect  they  'd  invite  us  to  go  with 
them  ?" 

"  I  allow  they  might  have  told  what  was  goin'  to 
be  done,  an'  then  we  could  'a  gone  about  our  busi- 
ness. ' ' 

"  It  would  have  been  a  good  chance  for  me  to 
visit  the  farm,"  Stephen  said  thoughtfully. 

"  Of  course  it  would  ;  an'  there  are  a  dozen  things 
we  might  have  done  with  more  profit  than  hangin' 
round  here." 

"  I  wonder  if  it  's  too  late  for  me  to  go  now  ?  I 
could  come  back  to-morrow  evening,  in  order  to  be 
ready  for  an  early  start  Monday." 


WEIGHING   LOBSTERS.       READY    FOR    SHIPMENT.       Page  244. 


Overboard.  245 

"  We  'd  better  hold  on,  if  only  for  the  sake  of 
showin'  Boston  chaps  that  we  know  enough  to  treat 
them  in  proper  fashion.  Here  's  what  we  '11  do, 
lad,  for  the  sake  of  pay  in'  ourselves  off,"  the  old 
man  added,  as  a  happy  thought  came  to  him:  "  I 
reckon  it  's  been  quite  a  spell  since  you  had  a  piece 
of  beefsteak  such  as  these  city  fellers  eat,  eh  ?  " 

"  Mother  and  I  have  n't  squandered  very  much 
on  meat  these  three  years  past,"  the  lad  replied, 
with  a  sad  smile,  as  memories  of  the  bitter  privations 
crowded  upon  him.  "  Fish  have  been  good  enough 
for  us." 

"  I  'm  hankerin'  for  a  slice  of  juicy  beefsteak, 
cooked  to  a  turn,  an'  smokin'  hot.  I  've  got  a 
little  money  of  my  own  left,  Stephen  boy,  an' 
reckon  it  won't  be  any  very  great  harm  to  fritter 
away  some  of  it  on  what  you  might  call  a  reg'lar 
feast.  Build  up  a  fire,  an'  we  '11  kinder  celebrate 
havin'  been  left  out  in  the  cold  by  the  Boston 
chap. ' ' 

"  It  's  only  right  I  should  pay  my  share  of  the 
bills." 

"  Not  this  time,  because  I  'm  treatin',  the  same 
as  I  allowed  Mr.  Hamilton  might  do." 

The  old  man  was  on  the  dock  before  Stephen 
could  interpose  any  objections,  and  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  had  returned  with  not  a  trace  of  ill- 
humor  to  be  seen  on  his  face. 


246  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Is  the  fire  goin'  ?  "  he  cried  cheerily. 

Yes,  and  I  've  mixed  up  a  pan  of  hot  biscuit. 
A  milk-wagon  came  down  on  the  dock,  and  I 
thought  if  you  could  afford  to  spread  yourself  on 
beefsteak,  it  would  n't  do  any  great  harm  for  me  to 
spend  seven  cents  for  a  quart  of  milk,  which  is 
enough  for  the  bread,  with  considerable  left  over 
for  our  coffee." 

Good  for  you,  lad.  We  '11  have  a  Christmas 
dinner  in  September,  an'  give  no  more  heed  to  Bos- 
ton men  that  run  around  askin'  questions,  but 
have  n't  perliteness  enough  to  say  when  they  are 
through  visitin'." 

Stephen  played  the  part  of  cook,  and  did  the 
work  well.  His  mother  had  instructed  him  in  the 
art,  and  he  was  an  apt  pupil. 

"  You  're  as  handy  as  a  woman,  lad,"  Captain 
Ike  said,  after  watching  his  partner  closely  during 
several  moments. 

"  There  's  good  reason  for  it,"  Stephen  replied 
laughingly.  "  Some  one  had  to  help  mother  after 
the  children  came,  and  I  am  the  oldest,  so  tried  to 
take  the  place  of  a  girl.  It  comes  in  handy  for  a 
fellow  to  know  how  such  things  should  be  done." 

"  Indeed  it  does,  lad;  an'  boys  would  be  wiser  if 
they  put  out  of  their  heads  the  silly  idee  that  it  's 
bein'  a  sissy  to  work  around  the  house.  A  young 
fellow   who   can  cook,  mend  his  own  clothes,  an' 


Overboard.  247 

even  wash  'em  on  a  pinch,  finds  that  knowledge  of 
the  kind  comes  in  mighty  handy  now  and  then." 

How  thoroughly  the  partners  enjoyed  that  meal! 
Beefsteak"  such  as  city  fellows  eat,"  biscuit  mixed 
with  milk  instead  of  water,  and  coffee  in  which  was 
an  apology  for  cream  ! 

Captain  Ike,  evidently  having  given  over  attempt- 
ing to  finish  his  air-castles,  told  stories  of  the  days 
when  he  was  master  of  the  Ellen  Maria,  and 
Stephen  listened  in  a  quiet  content,  which  was 
marred  only  by  the  thought  that  all  this  time  might 
have  been  spent  with  his  mother. 

The  crew  of  the  Sprite  were  not  given  to  late 
hours,  and  on  this  evening,  when  there  was  nothing 
to  prevent  them  from  sleeping  as  long  as  was  pleas- 
ing, they  sought  repose  in  the  narrow  bunks  before 
the  evening  was  well  begun  for  city  lads  who  were 
accustomed  to  turn  night  into  day. 

It  was  unusually  late  for  fishermen  to  be  astir 
when,  next  morning,  Captain  Ike  aroused  his  part- 
ner with  a  cheery  "  Shipmate,  ahoy!  "  and  after  a 
toilet  made  on  deck,  with  a  water  bucket  for  a 
wash-basin,  Stephen  set  about  preparing  breakfast. 

Perhaps  both  the  partners  wondered  where  Mr. 
Hamilton  might  be,  and  if  he  would  visit  them  that 
day ;  but  neither  gave  words  to  the  thought.  It 
was  much  as  if,  by  mutual  consent,  his  name  was  not 
to  be  mentioned. 


248  Lobster  Catchers. 

The  sky  was  cloudless,  the  air  warm  as  in  sum- 
mer, and  altogether  the  morning  was  one  such  as 
encourages  indolence. 

While  the  two  lounged  on  the  deck  aft,  Stephen 
thought,  with  regret  at  not  being  with  them,  of  the 
little  family  on  the  Ben  Jordan  farm,  who  at  this 
moment  were  making  ready  for  a  walk  to  the  tiny 
church  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  overlooking  the  sea; 
and  Captain  Ike — well,  it  is  difficult  to  decide  as  to 
what  the  old  fisherman  might  have  been  thinking 
about. 

There  were  many  loungers  on  the  piers;  men, 
women,  and  children  who  had  come  to  enjoy  the 
salt  breeze  and  a  view  of  the  harbor,  dotted  thickly 
with  vessels  of  every  description. 

Men  were  discussing  this  craft  or  that;  women 
gathered  in  little  groups  to  exchange  confidences, 
and  the  younger  loungers  darted  here  or  there, 
oftentimes  dangerously  near  the  edge  of  the  piers. 

"  Some  of  them  youngsters  will  be  overboard  if 
they  ain't  brought  up  with  a  sharp  turn,"  Captain 
Ike  said,  as  he  lazily  surveyed  the  scene  from  be- 
neath his  half-closed  eyelids.  "  I  wonder  why  it  is 
that  people  get  careless  when  they  're  in  such  places 
as  this  ? " 

"  You  don't  often  hear  of  a  child  being  drowned 
from  one  of  these  piers,"  Stephen  replied,  thinking 
of  the  many  times  his  partner  had  scolded  him, 


Overboard.  249 

when  he  was  a  tiny  lad,  for  playing  on  the  rocks  in 
front  of  the  red  shanty. 

"  I  reckon  that  's  because  there  's  always  some 
good-natured  idjut  who,  without  bein'  kith  or  kin, 
has  an  eye  over  'em." 

Then  the  old  man  closed  his  eyes  to  that  which 
caused  him  so  much  disquietude,  and  Stephen  gave 
himself  up  wholly  to  thoughts  of  his  family,  heed- 
ing not  the  hum  of  conversation,  the  laughter,  or 
the  cries  of  merriment  everywhere  around. 

During  ten  minutes  or  more  the  crew  of  the 
Sprite  remained  silent  and  motionless,  as  if  wrapped 
in  slumber,  and  then  sprang  to  their  feet  in  alarm  as 
a  cry  of  distress  and  fear  rang  out  on  the  balmy  air. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  the  lad  asked,  bewildered  for  the 
instant  by  the  babel  of  cries  and  shouts  from  every 
quarter. 

"  One  of  them  youngsters  has  gone  over  at  last !  " 
Captain  Ike  replied,  hurriedly;  and  a  stranger 
would  have  said  he  was  almost  rejoicing  because 
his  predictions  had  proven  true.  "  There!  At  the 
end  of  the  dock  is  where  the  mischief  has  been 
done!"  and  he  pointed  toward  a  group  of  appar- 
ently distracted  men  and  women  who  were  gazing 
into  the  water. 

Stephen  gave  one  quick  glance  in  the  direction 
indicated,  and  even  while  doing  so  was  pulling  off 
his  heavy  boots. 


250  Lobster  Catchers. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  lad  leaped  overboard  while  his 
partner  was  yet  speaking,  and  the  frightened  throng 
on  the  pier  stared  at  him  in  breathless  suspense  as 
he  forced  himself  through  the  water  with  vigorous 
strokes,  arriving  at  the  head  of  the  dock  just  as 
sodden  but  bright-colored  garments,  in  the  midst 
of  which  was  a  small,  pallid  face,  appeared  for  an 
instant  on  the  surface. 

The  mass  sank  again  before  the  swimmer  could 
catch  it,  and  on  the  instant  Stephen  half  raised  him- 
self from  the  water  in  order  to  gain  the  necessary 
impetus  for  diving. 

A  smothered  exclamation  burst  from  the  lips  of 
the  bystanders,  and  Captain  Ike's  voice  rang  out 
like  a  trumpet,  as  he  shouted : 

"  Have  a  care  for  the  timbers,  lad!  " 

Stephen  was  beneath  the  surface ;  but  the  bubbles 
of  air  told  that  he  was  mindful  of  the  danger  to  be 
incurred  by  going  down  headforemost  amid  the 
piling  of  the  river. 

To  the  eager,  anxious  ones  it  was  as  if  many  mo- 
ments elapsed  before  the  lad  appeared ;  and  then  a 
great  shout  of  triumph  went  up  from  every  throat, 
Captain  Ike  making  twice  as  much  noise  as  any 
other  spectator,  for  Stephen  held  on  one  arm  the 
apparently  lifeless  body  of  a  tiny  girl. 

Half  a  hundred  pair  of  arms  were  stretched  out 
from  the  edge  of  the  wharf  to  relieve  him  of  his 


Overboard.  251 

burden ;  and,  yielding  the  precious  bit  of  humanity 
to  a  woman  down  whose  white  cheeks  the  tears 
were  flowing,  the  engineer  of  the  Sprite  swam  back 
to  his  steamer,  being  assisted  over  the  rail  by  the 
old  fisherman. 

That  was  n't  a  bad  job,  lad,  an'  done  in  what  I 
call  good  shape,"  Captain  Ike  said,  approvingly,  as 
he  followed  his  partner  into  the  cabin.  "  The  only 
fear  in  my  mind  was  that  you  'd  go  down  without 
thinkin'  of  the  pier  timbers." 

"  I  heard  you  shout,  and  but  for  the  warning 
might  have  come  to  grief,  for  there  are  a  lot  of 
splintered  piles  near  the  bottom  and  if  I  'd  brought 
up  on  one  of  them  you  'd  have  needed  to  look  out 
for  another  partner." 

Beyond  the  danger  of  diving  in  that  particular 
place,  Captain  Ike  was  not  disposed  to  attach  very 
much  importance  to  what  Stephen  had  done,  and 
before  the  latter  had  time  to  put  on  dry  clothing 
he  was  speaking  of  his  plans  for  the  morrow. 

He  did  not  have  an  opportunity  to  go  very  far 
into  the  details,  however,  for  soon  the  Sprite  was 
laden  with  visitors,  each  of  whom  had  come  to 
thank  Stephen  for  having  done  so  brave  a  deed,  and 
the  lad  was  literally  overwhelmed  by  the  extravagant 
words  of  gratitude. 

As  soon  as  it  was  possible,  he  and  Captain  Ike 
locked  the  doors  of  the  cabin  and  wheel-house  and 


252  Lobster  Catchers. 

went  ashore,  with  no  other  aim  than  to  escape  from 
the  grateful  ones  who  were  so  extravagant  in  their 
demonstrations. 

"  We  'd  go  to  church,  if  we  looked  decent," 
Stephen  said  when  they  were  free  from  the  admir- 
ing throng;  and  the  old  man  replied  thoughtfully: 
I  'd  kinder  like  it;  but,  of  course,  we  could  n't 
show  up  in  this  rig.  We  '11  walk  round  till  that 
crowd  has  simmered  down,  an'  then  go  aboard 
again." 

And  this  they  did,  returning  to  the  Sprite  an  hour 
before  noon,  when  Stephen  set  about  getting  dinner, 
with  boiled  salt  fish  as  the  principal  dish ;  for  they 
could  not  afford  to  feast  on  beefsteak  very  often. 

During  the  afternoon  a  young  man  came  aboard 
and  asked  many  questions  about  the  morning 
rescue,  writing  down  the  answers  given,  much  to 
Captain  Ike's  perplexity. 

Then  he  displayed  a  most  extraordinary  curiosity 
regarding  themselves  and  their  business,  writing 
rapidly  as  one  or  the  other  spoke ;  and  when  finally 
he  took  his  departure  the  old  fisherman  said,  in  a 
tone  of  dissatisfaction : 

"  It  does  beat  all  how  some  people  like  to  pry 
into  other  folks's  business !  That  young  feller  had 
the  impudence  to  put  questions  such  as  I  would  n't 
have  asked  my  best  friend !  What  concern  of  his 
is  it  whether  we  made  one  dollar  or  ten  on  our  last 


Overboard.  253 

cruise;  or  why  should  he  be  botherin'  his  head 
about  the  price  we  pay  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  he  's  thinking  of  going  into  the  busi- 
ness," Stephen  suggested. 

"  Well,  in  that  case  he  knows  nigh  on  to  so  much 
as  we  do,  for  he  pumped  me  dry,  an'  that  's  a  fact." 

Had  the  two  been  so  inclined,  they  might  have 
had  the  little  cabin  crowded  with  visitors;  but,  after 
the  departure  of  the  excessively  curious  young  man, 
Captain  Ike  locked  the  companion-way  door  on  the 
inside,  and  ordered  his  partner  to  remain  perfectly 
quiet. 

"  We  '11  make  it  look  as  if  all  hands  had  gone 
ashore,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  ill-temper.  "  I  'd 
rather  stay  here,  holdin'  my  breath  half  the  time, 
than  have  folks  starin'  at  me  as  if  I  was  a  wild  man 
from  Borneo,  such  as  I  once  saw  in  a  show." 

Captain  Skillings's  employees  had  not  yet  arrived 
at  the  warehouse  next  morning  when  the  Sprite  left 
her  moorings  on  the  fourth  cruise  since  the  firm  of 
Jordan  &  Dyer  had  sprung  into  existence. 

When  Captain  Ike  aroused  Stephen,  with  the  sug- 
gestion that  they  get  under  way  at  once,  and  eat 
breakfast  while  steaming  down  the  bay,  the  lad 
asked  innocently  if  it  was  not  his  purpose  to  wait 
until  something  could  be  heard  from  Mr.  Hamilton. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,  lad.  We  've  wasted  all  the  time 
on  the  Boston   swell   that   I  've  got  to  spare.     It 


254  Lobster  Catchers. 

would  have  been  a  good  ten  dollars  in  our  pocket 
had  we  been  anchored  off  Starlin's  dock  this 
mornin',  instead  of  half  a  day's  run  from  it,  an'  all 
owin'  to  Captain  Skillin's's  visitor.  It  '11  be  a  long 
day  before  I  bother  myself  about  him  again." 

Stephen  made  no  protest  against  getting  under 
way  so  early,  and  the  Sprite  was  ten  miles  distant 
from  her  dock  when  the  partners  partook  of  their 
morning  meal. 

There  is  no  good  reason  why  the  details  of  this 
cruise  should  be  given,  because  nothing  worth  re- 
cording occurred,  and  so  much  time  was  spent — and 
time  meant  coal,  for  which  so  many  dollars  per  ton 
must  be  paid — that  there  was  very  little  margin  left 
for  profit. 

I  told  you  we  could  n't  count  on  makin'  money 
every  trip,"  Captain  Ike  said,  as  they  steamed  up 
the  bay  after  an  absence  of  four  days,  with  only 
eleven  hundred  lobsters  in  the  tank.  "  We  've 
been  obleeged  to  pay  mighty  near  the  market  price 
for  the  few  we  've  got  aboard,  an'  the  cost  of  run- 
nin'  will  eat  up  the  profit.  It 's  certain  that  just  so 
much  time  has  been  thrown  away,  an'  it  can  all  be 
set  down  to  the  credit  of  that  Boston  swell.  We  'd 
been  back  in  port  twenty-four  hours  sooner  but  for 
hangin'  round  the  dock  when  he  had  n't  any  idee 
of  comin'  back." 

So   that   we   have  n't  lost  anything,   is  good 


Overboard.  255 

enough  for  me.     We   '11  make  up  for  this  cruise 
next  time." 

"  Perhaps,"  Captain  Ike  said,  doubtfully,  as  if  he 
had  lost  faith  in  the  possibilities  of  the  lobster-buy- 
ing business. 

When  they  arrived  at  the  dock,  Stephen  saw, 
to  his  pleasure  and  surprise,  the  Vera  lying  at  the 
head  of  the  pier;  and  when  the  Sprite  was  made 
fast  to  the  lobster-cars,  that  her  cargo  might  be  dis- 
charged, the  lad  asked  of  the  employee  nearest  at 
hand, 

"  When  did  the  yacht  come  in  ?" 
'  This  morning.     She  'd  only  lost  her  screw,  and 
it  was  n't  a  long  job  to  put  her  in  shape." 

"  I«  Mr.  Hamilton  in  town  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  not,  else  he  'd  been  around  here  before 
this." 

"  Any  one  aboard  the  yacht  ?  " 

"  No  one  but  old  Sawyer,  who  has  been  hired  as 
ship-keeper,  and  he  '11  be  discharged  to-morrow." 
Is  she  to  leave  port,  then  ?  " 
No;  unless  you  call  it  leaving  port  to  go  into 
winter  quarters.     She  's  to  be  hauled  up  over  at 
the  Jethro  Dearing  place." 

"So  he  's  got  the  job  of  lookin'  after  the  toy 
craft,  eh  ?  "  Captain  Ike  asked,  jealously. 

I  don't  reckon  he  '11  have  much  to  do  with  her. 
Jethro  got  a  chance  to  sell  out,  and  he  's  waiting  to 


256  Lobster  Catchers. 

make  a  trade  with  you  for  the  use  of  the  red  shanty 
while  he  'tends  to  lobstering  in  proper  fashion.  He 
counts  on  setting  about  a  hundred  pots,  and  look- 
ing after  them  himself.  I  allow  there  's  more  money 
in  that  kind  of  work,  for  a  man  like  Jethro,  than  in 
trying  to  make  a  big  spread  without  the  cash  to 
back  it  up'." 

"  Who  bought  the  place  ?  "  Stephen  asked,  with 
just  a  twinge  because  it  had  been  sold,  although  he 
had  declared  again  and  again  that  he  and  his  partner 
could  never  hope  to  own  it. 

"  I  don't  know  the  man's  name.  Somebody 
from  up  Boston  way,  I  believe." 

Captain  Ike  gave  vent  to  a  long  sigh  as  the  em- 
ployee turned  away,  intent  on  his  own  duties;  and 
Stephen  gazed  at  him  sympathizingly. 

So  that  chance  is  shut  out  from  us  !  "  the  old 
man  exclaimed,  with  a  long-drawn  breath.  "  I 
can't  say  as  I  ever  believed  we  'd  be  able  to  buy  it ; 
but  yet  there  seemed  some  kind  of  a  show,  no  mat- 
ter how  small,  while  it  was  for  sale.  Well,  there  's 
no  use  in  cryin'  over  milk  that  somebody  else  has 
spilled.  But  if  the  right  kind  of  a  man  has  bought 
Jethro's  place,  he  '11  make  a  big  pile  of  money." 

"  It  must  have  been  some  person  whom  Mr. 
Hamilton  knew,  else  the  Vera  would  n't  be  sent 
there  to  go  into  winter  quarters." 

"  I  ain't  sure  you  can  reckon  it  that  way,  lad. 


Overboard.  257 

Most  likely  the  Boston  swell  thought  it  would  be 

cheaper  to  lay  the  yacht  up  here  than  to  take  her 

home.     I  reckon  Captain  Skillin's  told  him  about 

the  place;  but  I  don't  know  as  it  's  any  business  of 

ours,"  he  added  sharply.     "  Jethro  is  fortunate  in 

findin'  a  buyer,  an'  so  is  the  man  who  owns  it  now, 

while  we  're  fools  to  stand  here  moonin'  over  it.     It 

stands  us  in  hand  to  unload  our  cargo,  so  that  the 

coal  can  be  taken  on  board  before  dark.     I  count 

on  leavin'  port  mighty  early  to-morrow  mornin'." 

Then  the  two  set  about  their  work,  in  which  was 

little  to  be  earned ;  and  Captain  Skillings  did  not 

come  to  greet  them  as  he  had  previously  done. 
17 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  SURPRISE. 

THE  members  of  the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Dyer 
were  deeply  engaged  transferring  their  un- 
profitable cargo  from  the  tank  of  the  Sprite  to 
the  cars  owned  by  Captain  Skillings,  when  one 
of  the  men  who  was  assisting  in  the  work  by 
counting  the  lobsters  as  they  were  taken  from  one 
receptacle  to  the  other,  said,  as  if  speaking  of  a 
matter  with  which  he  believed  Stephen  was  already 
familiar, 

"  So  you  contrived  to  make  yourself  of  consider- 
able importance  last  Sunday,  eh  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  the  boy  asked,  in  sur- 
prise. 

"  Did  n't  you  pick  up  a  little  girl  that  fell  over- 
board ?  " 

"  Yes,"  the  lad  replied,  with  a  laugh,  "  but  how 
is  that  making  myself  of  importance  ?  " 

It  seems  to  me,  when  a  lobster-buyer  can  con- 
trive it  so  there  's  more  than  a  column  of  printed 
matter  about  him  in  the  newspapers,  that  he  's  cut- 
ting a  pretty  wide  swath,  eh  ?  " 

258 


The  Surprise.  259 

Stephen  looked  at  the  speaker  in  perplexity,  and 
Captain  Ike  ceased  his  labors,  to  stare  in  open- 
mouthed  astonishment. 

"Who  's  been  doin'  anythin'  like  that?"  the 
old  man  asked. 

Why,  this  partner  of  yours,  of  course;  and  you 
must  have  been  amblin'  round  pretty  near,  seein'  's 
how  the  life  and  adventures  of  Isaac  Dyer  is  put  in 
with  the  rest  of  it." 

"  With  the  rest  of  what  ?"  Stephen  asked,  im- 
patiently. 

"  Why,  the  story  about  your  picking  up  the  little 
girl." 

"  Look  here,  young  man,"  Captain  Ike  said,  im- 
pressively, as  he  stepped  forward  a  pace,  much  as 
though  to  inflict  direst  punishment  if  his  question 
were  not  answered  immediately  and  truthfully,  "  are 
you  tryin'  to  insinuate  that  there  was  a  story  about 
Stephen  an'  me  in  the  papers  ?  " 

"  Of  course  there  was.  Did  n't  you  know  it  ? 
Why,  I  'd  saved  you  a  copy,  but  it  seemed  likely 
you  'd  've  seen  it  before  I  did.  There  's  a  long 
account  of  how  Stephen  jumped  overboard,  an'  you 
stood  by  to  lend  a  hand ;  an'  then  it.goes  on  to  tell 
that  you  're  runnin'  the  Sprite  on  shares;  that  Ben 
Jordan  was  the  boy's  father.  It  explains  how  much 
there  is  to  be  made  in  the  lobster  business,  and 
what  Captain   Skillin's  has    done    towards   helpin' 


260  Lobster  Catchers. 

you  with  the  Sprite,  and — oh,  a  whole  lot  of  rigma- 
role that  I  don't  remember." 

"When  did  you  see  all  this?"  Captain  Ike 
asked  sceptically. 

"  It  was  in  the  papers  last  Monday  morning, 
more  'n  a  column  of  it,  with  a  picture  of  the  Sprite, 
though  I  can't  say  it  looked  very  much  like  her." 

The  partners  gazed  at  each  other  in  surprise  and 
bewilderment  during  what  seemed  like  a  very  long 
time;  and  then  the  old  fisherman  cried  emphatically, 
as  he  brought  his  hand  down  on  his  knee  with  a 
resounding  whack : 

"  I  see  how  it  is,  lad!  That  young  feller  what 
asked  so  many  questions,  an'  writ  down  what  was 
said,  was  workin'  for  the  newspapers;  an'  to  think 
that  I  never  had  an  idee  of  what  he  might  be  up  to !  " 

"  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me,"  Captain  Skillings's 
employee  asked  incredulously,  "  that  you  did  n't 
know  there  might  be  such  an  article  printed  ?  " 

"Never  dreamed  of  it!"  Captain  Ike  replied 
solemnly.  "  It  never  so  much  as  entered  my  head 
that  anybody  would  want  to  read  about  that  'ere 
little  thing  Stephen  did.  Of  course,  any  right- 
minded  lad  that  knew  how  to  swim  would  have 
gone  over  when  the  youngster  dropped,  so  I  don't 
see  as  there  's  very  much  to  be  said  about  it,  though 
the  folks  that  was  here  at  the  time  did  pester  us 
terribly  talkin'  'bout  it." 


The  Surprise.  261 

"  I  'd  like  to  see  one  of  the  papers,"  Stephen 
said  almost  timidly. 

Run  up  to  the  office,  an'  I  reckon  you  '11  find 
one.  Captain  Skillin's  bought  more  'n  fifty,  so  's 
to  give  'em  around  to  everybody  he  knew." 

The  engineer  of  the  Sprite  lost  no  time  in  acting 
upon  this  suggestion ;  and  a  few  moments  later, 
when  he  returned  with  the  newspaper  in  his  hand, 
his  partner  very  nearly  forgot  that  he  should  trans- 
fer his  cargo  before  attending  to  personal  matters. 

"  Well,  well.  I  '11  stick  to  takin'  'em  out,  an' 
you  can  keep  on  countin';  but  that  won't  prevent 
Stephen  from  readin'  what  's  printed  there,"  the  old 
man  said,  when  he  was  reminded  that  this  particular 
employee  could  not  afford  to  spend  more  time  than 
was  absolutely  necessary  in  unloading  the  steamer. 
"  Go  ahead,  Stephen,  an'  don't  miss  a  word." 

The  boy  did  as  he  was  bidden,  his  cheeks  grow- 
ing crimson  with  something  very  like  shame  as  he 
read  the  highly  colored  account  of  what  purported 
to  be  a  wonderfully  brave  deed,  when  in  reality  it 
had  been  to  the  lad  as  only  a  trifling  occurrence,  so 
far  as  he  was  concerned. 

As  Captain  Skillings's  employee  had  said,  there 
was  a  full  description  of  the  partners  who  were  run- 
ning the  Sprite  on  shares ;  a  detailed  account  of 
their  method  of  transacting  business;  a  brief  story 
of  the  mortgaged   farm,  and,  in  fact,  so  much  of 


262  Lobster  Catchers. 

biography  and  history  as  could  be  condensed  into  a 
newspaper  column. 

"  It  's  too  bad  that  folks  should  be  allowed  to 
put  such  things  in  the  paper,"  Stephen  said,  in  a 
tone  of  vexation.  "  What  will  the  people  who 
know  us  think  about  a  story  like  that  ? " 

"  It  pleased  Captain  Skillin's  a  heap  more  'n  it 
seems  to  you,"  the  employee  said,  looking  first  at 
one  and  then  the  other,  as  if  thoroughly  surprised 
because  they  should  feel  offended  at  what  was  to  his 
mind  something  of  which  they  might  well  be  proud. 

"  I  should  think  he  'd  be  angry  at  reading  such 
stuff!  "  Stephen  cried  petulantly. 

"  Well,  when  you  catch  Sam  Skillin's  losing  his 
temper  at  gettin'  such  an  advertisement  as  that  all 
for  nothin',  then  you  '11  be  likely  to  find  a  weasel 
asleep.  He  's  been  showin'  the  story  to  everybody 
that  came  into  the  office,  and  he  sent  five  or  six  of 
the  papers  out  where  you  live,  Stephen,  so  's  your 
folks  would  be  sure  to  see  it.  Why,  he  's  as  tickled 
as  a  chicken  with  six  toes.  S'posen  you  put  that 
paper  away,  an'  sulk  over  it  after  we  've  finished  this 
job,  else  I  '11  get  an  overhaulin'  for  loiterin'  around." 

Stephen  did  as  he  was  thus  virtually  bidden,  and 
during  the  remainder  of  the  time  spent  in  discharg- 
ing the  cargo  neither  of  the  partners  spoke. 

But  after  the  work  was  finished,  and  the  two 
had  gone   on  board  the  Sprite,   Captain  Ike  said, 


The  Surprise.  263 

reflectively,  as  he  put  on  a  pair  of  steel-bowed 
spectacles  that  he  might  the  more  clearly  see  the 
picture  of  the  Sprite. 

"  I  'm  not  so  certain,  lad,  but  that  this  'ere  yarn 
is  all  right.  When  you  come  to  think  of  it,  there 
was  a  chance  you  'd  be  drowned,  although  I  s'pose 
you  might  as  well  try  to  drown  an  eel ;  but  there  was 
a  chance,  I  say,  an'  if  this  pleases  Captain  Sam  Skil- 
lin's,  why  it  ought  to  please  us.  I  'm  certain  your 
mother  will  take  to  it  kindly,  although  Deacon  Joshua 
Brackett  must  be  reg'larly  foamin'  at  the  mouth." 

"  Hello,  aboard  the  Sprite  !  "  some  one  shouted 
from  the  dock,  thus  interrupting  the  old  fisherman's 
reflections.     "  Hello,  aboard  the  Sprite  !  " 

Stephen  looked  out  from  the  companion-way, 
when,  much  to  his  surprise,  he  saw  the  four  lads 
who  had  robbed  him  at  Tom  Dawson's  farm,  and 
afterward  been  wrecked  on  Hawk's  Reef. 

"  Can  we  come  aboard  ?  "  the  eldest  of  the  party 
asked ;  and  the  lad  replied,  quickly  : 

"  Of  course  you  can.  Come  down  this  way, 
across  the  lobster-cars." 

Then,  in  a  whisper,  Stephen  said  to  his  partner: 

"  Those  young  fellows  who  gave  up  our  twenty- 
two  dollars  are  coming  on  board." 

"  What  do  they  want  ?"  Captain  Ike  asked,  in 
what  a  stranger  might  have  thought  to  be  a  surly 
tone. 


264  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  One  of  them  said  he  would  come  down  to  see 
us.  Perhaps  they  're  counting  on  thanking  us  again 
for  not  making  them  trouble." 

"  There  's  no  need  of  anythin'  like  that.  What's 
done  is  done,  an'  the  least  said  about  it  the  better." 

But  there  was  considerably  more  to  be  said  about 
it,  whether  Captain  Ike  liked  it  or  not ;  for  when 
the  four  boys  came  aboard,  and  both  partners  had 
shaken  hands  with  them  in  a  friendly  fashion,  the 
eldest  said,  while  his  companions  stood  nearby,  to 
show  that  his  words  were  to  be  taken  as  coming 
from  all  hands : 

"  You  two  did  us  a  wonderfully  big  favor  when 
we  had  gone  wrong  and  deserved  rough  treatment. 
We  can't  say  how  thankful  we  are;  and  if  we  do  no 
more  than  repeat  that  we  shall  never  do  such  a 
thing  again,  you  might  rightly  say  words  were 
cheap.  But  all  of  us  are  anxious  you  two  should 
know  that  we  appreciate  fully  all  that  was  done, 
and  we  want  you  to  have  something  as  a  reminder 
of  our  repentance.  Therefore  we  have  brought  this 
little  present  for  Stephen,  and  ask  that,  whenever  he 
looks  at  it,  it  will  be  with  a  kindly  thought  for  us,  and 
the  confidence  that  we  have  not  gone  wrong  again." 

Having  said  this,  the  spokesman  handed  to  the 
Sprite 's  engineer  a  small  package  wrapped  in  white 
paper;  and  the  four  took  their  departure  with 
almost  unseemly  haste. 


The  Surprise.  265 

"  Hold  on  here,  lads!  What  's  the  rush  ?" 
Captain  Ike  cried,  stepping  to  the  companion-way 
just  as  the  last  of  the  visitors  was  scrambling  over 
the  lobster-cars  to  the  pier.  "  Let  's  have  a  look 
at  what  you  brought." 

"  We  '11  come  back  some  other  time,  if  you  're 
willing;  but  it  's  better  not  to  stop  now.  See  to  it 
that  Stephen  keeps  what  we  've  given,  for  it  was 
bought  with  honest  money,  and  not  stolen." 

Well,  that  's  queer  kind  of  actions,"  Captain 
Ike  said,  turning  just  as  his  partner  had  opened  the 
package,  disclosing  to  view  a  small  silver  watch. 
"  Bless  my  soul,  lad,  what  's  that  ?  A  watch,  I 
do  declare;  an'  they  have  give  it  to  you!  Well, 
you  deserve  it,  an'  that  's  a  fact." 

Captain  Ike's  partner  hesitated  and  stammered  as 
if  finding  it  impossible  to  speak,  and,  as  a  means  of 
hiding  his  emotion,  opened  the  watch,  finding  on 
the  front  case  the  following  inscription : 

To  Stephen  Jordan 

AS  A  REMINDER    OF   THE    GENEROUS    STAND   HE   TOOK 
SEPTEMBER  21,   1 899 

Attached  to  the  watch  was  a  small  gold  chain, 
from  which  hung  a  charm  in  the  form  of  a  fish. 

"  Well,  now,  that  's  what  I  call  a  pretty  hand- 
some thing!"  Captain  Ike  said,  as  he  examined 
critically   the   token    of    thankfulness.      "  And   to 


^66  Lobster  Catchers. 

think  that  but  for  you,  Stephen,  I  might  have 
pushed  them  lads  to  the  wall,  without  givin'  'em  a 
chance  to  repent  the  evil  thing  they  did!  What 
with  that  newspaper  story,  an'  this  'ere  watch,  I  'm 
beginnin'  to  be  mighty  proud  of  havin'  you  for  a 
partner!  " 

Don't  talk  like  that,  Captain  Ike,"  Stephen 
said  imploringly.  "  It  's  nothing  that  I  've  done; 
things  only  happened  in  a  way  that  made  it  seem 
as  if — as  if " 

I  don't  wonder  you  can't  finish  up  that  'ere 
speech,  Stephen,  'cause  there  was  no  sense  in  it,  to 
begin  with.  The  story  was  told  in  the  newspapers 
owin'  to  your  bein'  quick-witted  enough  to  jump  in 
an'  save  a  little  girl ;  an'  this  'ere  watch  has  come  to 
you  on  account  of  a  kind  heart  and  willin'ness 
to  help  another,  when  an  old  curmudgeon  like  my- 
self, stuck  up  by  his  own  foolish  opinions,  was  for 
doin'  the  wrong  thing  at  the  wrong  time.  I  wonder 
what  Deacon  Brackett  would  say  to  this  ?  Well, 
for  a  fact,  lad,  we  're  gettin'  along  famously,  even 
though  Jethro  Dearing  has  sold  his  place.  It  's  a 
pity  that  property  could  n't  have  been  kept  in  the 
market  a  while  longer,  'cause  things  are  comin'  our 
way  so  fast  that  I  'm  beginnin'  to  really  believe  we 
might  in  time  have  made  a  lobster  farm  out  there." 
Then  Captain  Ike  fell  to  musing  over  what  might 
have  been,  and  Stephen  gazed  almost  affectionately 


The  Surprise.  267 

at  this  token  of  remembrance  from  the  lads  whose 
friend  he  had  been,  until  tears  of  mingled  gratitude 
and  pleasure  came  into  his  eyes. 

The  two  were  thus  silent,  each  occupied  with  his 
own  thoughts,  when  the  sound  as  of  a  heavy  body 
clambering  over  the  rail  brought  both  to  their  feet, 
and  before  either  could  gain  the  the  companion- 
way,  Captain  Samuel  Skillings's  portly  form  blocked 
the  exit. 

"  Hello,  shipmates!  I  'm  told  you  did  n't  do 
such  a  rushin'  business  this  trip  ?  "  he  cried,  cheer- 
ily. "  Four  days  out,  and  only  eleven  hundred 
lobsters !  " 

"  Yes,  an'  had  to  pay  nigh  on  to  fifteen  cents  for 
them,"  Captain  Ike  replied  moodily. 

"  Then  you  did  n't  make  yourselves  rich  this  trip! 
I  don't  know  but  what  it  was  a  good  thing;  for  I 
was  beginnin'  to  be  afraid  so  much  money  might 
turn  your  heads,  particularly  after  you  had  the  story 
of  your  lives  printed." 

"  Don't  say  a  word  about  that  thing  in  the  news- 
papers, Captain  Skillings,"  Stephen  cried  quickly. 
"  We  did  n't  know  it  was  to  be  there,  and  never 
thought  the  man  who  questioned  us  might  be  going 
to  print  it." 

It  don't  make  any  difference  whether  you  knew 
it  or  not,  lad;  it  was  a  good  thing  all  round.  I 
ain't  certain  as  I  shall  sell  any  more  fish  on  account 


268  Lobster  Catchers. 

of  the  advertisin'  I  've  got;  but  it  is  n't  a  bad  thing 
to  have  said  about  a  man,  the  way  that  fellow  puts 
the  story.  Why,  since  readin'  that,  I  believe  the 
Sprite  is  worth  a  hundred  dollars  more  to  me  than 
she  was  before.  I  took  pains  that  your  mother 
should  have  five  copies  of  the  paper,  Stephen,  be- 
cause I  knew  it  would  please  her  and,  contrariwise, 
give  Deacon  Brackett  the  dyspepsia." 

Have  you  seen  her  lately?"  Stephen  asked 
eagerly. 

"  I  was  up  to  the  farm  last  night  for  an  hour  or 
so." 

"  Were  she  and  the  children  all  right  ? " 

Yes,  I  believe  they  are  now;  but  she  looked 
kind  of  down  at  the  heel  yesterday,  an'  I  was  glad 
I  went  to  see  her.  Ten  dollars  ain't  such  a  big 
amount  of  money ;  and,  thinkin'  perhaps  she  might 
be  a  little  short,  I  made  her  take  twenty  more, 
tellin'  her  it  should  be  charged  to  you.  There  's 
that  much  du*  you,  I  reckon,  on  this  trade  of  ours, 
even  though  you  did  n't  make  very  big  profits  the 
last  trip." 

"  But  I  'm  afraid  I  can't  pay  back  so  much 
money,  Captain  Skillings,"  Stephen  cried,  in  alarm. 
"  I  thought  mother  would  have  a  little  money  from 
the  cabbages,  and  the  first  I  earned  could  go  to  pay 
Dyer  &  Jose." 

"  That  part  of  it  will  be  all  right,  lad;  don't  you 


The  Surprise.  269 

worry  about  the  twenty-nine  dollars  that  's  owin', 
for  if  Dyer  &  Jose  are  afraid  they  won't  be  paid 
I  '11  take  the  debt  myself.  After  seein'  your 
mother,  I  went  and  had  a  talk  with  the  Deacon. 
He  'd  been  makin'  himself  disagreeable  around 
there ;  but  from  this  out,  you  may  mark  my  words, 
he  '11  hold  his  tongue." 

Did  you  give  him  a  good  dressing  down,  Cap- 
tain ? "  the  old  fisherman  asked,  rubbing  his  hands 
gleefully. 

"  I  told  him  that,  although  it  was  really  none  of 
my  business,  I  should  take  steps  for  havin'  him  put 
under  bonds  to  keep  the  peace  if  he  went  on  the 
Ben  Jordan  farm  again  and  said  anythin'  that  a 
brother  should  n't  say  to  a  sister  in  an  affectionate 
way.  Of  course,  it  's  all  nonsense  about  my  bein' 
able  to  do  anythin'  of  that  kind;  but  the  Deacon 
acted  as  if  he  thought  I  could  keep  the  threat  right 
up  to  the  mark ;  and  pledged  his  word  that  he 
would  stop  such  manceuvrin's  as  had  been  goin' 
on  since  you  went  aboard  the  Sprite.'" 

"  Oh,  Captain  Skillings,  you  have  done  me  a 
greater  favor  than  would  be  possible  in  any  other 
way !  "  Stephen  cried  ;  and  there  was  in  his  tone  that 
which  told  of  the  relief  he  felt  because  there  was  no 
longer  danger  his  uncle  would  cause  unhappiness 
for  the  occupants  of  the  Ben  Jordan  farm. 

Don't  say  a  word  about  it,    Stephen;  you  're 


270  Lobster  Catchers. 

earnin'  a  good  bit  of  money  for  me,  an*  when  I  see 
a  lad  goin'  right  I  'm  glad  to  put  out  a  helpin'  hand, 
the  same  as  was  done  for  me  years  ago,  when  I 
started  in  business.  What  have  you  been  doin'. 
Buyin'  finery  ? "  he  added,  observing  the  watch 
which  the  lad  yet  held  in  his  hand. 

"  Buyin'  nothin',''  Captain  Ike  replied.  "  That 
'ere  has  been  earned  by  him  in  a  way  to  make  a 
man  proud,"  and  without  further  delay  he  told  the 
merchant  all  the  story,  from  the  time  they  had  dis- 
covered the  loss  of  the  money,  up  to  the  visit  of  the 
repentant  boys. 

It  's  what  you  might  call  a  pleasant  thing  all 
round,"  Captain  ^killings  said,  when  the  old  fisher- 
man concluded  the  story.  "  You  behaved  about  as 
I  might  have  expected,  Stephen.  There  have  been 
four  boys  here  for  the  last  two  days,  wantin'  to 
know  when  the  Sprite  ought  to  get  in  —  right 
decent-lookin'  fellows,  whom  no  one  could  have 
fancied  could  be  tempted  to  steal.  But  this  won't 
do  for  me;  I  did  n't  come  down  here  to  chatter  like 
an  old  woman.  There  was  business  on  my  mind. 
I  suppose  you  've  seen  the  white  yacht  layin'  here 
at  the  he?d  of  the  pier  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  Hamilton  has  decided  to  lay  her  up  for  the 
winter  over  to  Jethro  Dearing's  old  place,  an' 
wants  some  one  to  take  her  around.     I  thought  it 


The  Surprise.  271 

would  be  a  good  job  for  you  two.  You  might  get 
up  steam  on  her,  an'  tow  the  Sprite,  so  's  to  have  a 
craft  to  get  back  with,  or  else  hook  her  behind  this 
steamer,  just  as  you  choose;  that  can  be  settled 
between  yourselves.  What  do  you  think  it 's  worth 
to  run  round  there  an'  spend,  say,  eight  and  forty 
hours,  helpin'  to  put  her  on  the  shore  ? "  he  asked, 
turning  to  Captain  Ike. 

I  can't  say  as  to  that,"  the  old  man  replied  re- 
flectively. It  's  quite  a  job.  Of  course  there  '11 
be  somebody  to  take  charge  of  haulin'  her  up  ? " 

"  Oh,  yes.  There  's  a  gang  of  men  at  work 
settin'  Jethro  Dearing's  venture  into  proper  shape, 
an'  like  enough  the  ways  are  all  ready  for  runnin' 
the  Vera  on." 

"  You  ought  to  know  better  what  should  be  paid 
for  that  work,"  Captain  Ike  said;  and  Stephen  was 
secretly  delighted  at  the  opportunity  of  having  con- 
trol, although  for  so  short  a  time,  of  such  a  beauti- 
ful craft  as  the  white  yacht. 

"  Well,  I  '11  say  that  you  might  find  it  in  your 
way  to  do  the  work  for  ten  dollars  a  day,  the  two 
of  you,  an'  charge  about  five  for  the  use  of  the 
Sprite — you  to  pay  for  the  coal.  Allow  it  takes 
three  days,  it  won't  be  such  a  bad  job;  an'  just  now 
the  lobster  market  ain't  very  lively,  so  you  can't 
lose  anything  by  it." 

"  We  '11  be  glad  to  take  hold  of  that,  or  any  other 


272  Lobster  Catchers. 

work  that  you  want  us  to  do,"  Captain  Ike  replied, 
and  added,  "  Do  you  know  the  folks  that  bought 
Jethro  Dearing's  property  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  've  seen  'em  before,"  was  the  evasive 
reply. 

"  Did  he  get  any  very  big  money  for  it  ?  " 

"  He  sold  for  thirty-five  hundred  dollars  cash  on 
the  nail." 

"  It  was  dirt  cheap!  "  Captain  Ike  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,  it  's  what  you  might  call  a  gilt-edged  bar- 
gain," the  merchant  said,  with  decision;  "  but  it  's 
a  bargain  that  needs  to  be  made  by  those  who  've 
got  capital  enough  to  see  it  put  through." 

"  Do  the  new  hands  count  on  runnin'  the  lobster 
business  ? " 

"  Oh,  yes,  else  it  would  n't  have  been  so  desirable. 
They  've  got  much  the  same  ideas  as  yourself,  Cap- 
tain Ike — a  farm  after  the  Tom  Dawson  plan ;  the 
storehouse  to  be  finished  for  the  keepin'  of  nets, 
boats,  an'  such  truck;  the  house  to  be  put  into 
shape,  an'  all  that  sort  of  thing.  I  believe  there  's 
talk  of  buildin'  a  fish-pound  close  by,  seein's  there 
is  net  enough,  an'  the  schooner  will  come  in  handy 
for  tendin'  it." 

"  Well,  I  've  been  fool  enough  to  think,  if  our 
business  kept  on  the  way  it  's  begun,  that  Stephen 
an'  I,  with  perhaps  a  little  help  from  you,  might  'a 
been  able  to  buy  that  place  in  course  of  time." 


The  Surprise.  273 

"  There  's  quite  a  bit  of  money  to  be  laid  out  on 
it,  Captain  Ike.  A  man  who  dips  into  a  thing  like 
that  wants  capital." 

"  Yes,  I  know  it;  but  then  we  could  have  gone 
on  in  a  small  way,  an'  worked  up.  There  's  no  need 
of  a  fish-pound,  an'  the  schooner  might  have  been 
sold.  There  's  a  good  many  chances  to  cut  off  on 
the  cost ;  but  it  's  gone,  an'  there  's  no  use  talkin' 
about  it.  When  do  you  want  us  to  go  with  the 
white  yacht  ?  " 

"  There  's  a  moon  to-night;  your  boilers  are  hot, 
an'  I  don't  see  why  you  should  n't  start  at  once. 
But  take  your  own  time  about  it.  So  that  the  Vera 
is  there  within  the  next  two  or  three  days,  will  an- 
swer every  purpose.  Have  you  been  paid  for  your 
cargo  yet  ? " 

No,  sir;  but  Captain  Ike  can  attend  to  that 
part  of  the  business  while  I  'm  getting  ready  for  the 
trip,"  Stephen  said,  as,  putting  the  watch  proudly 
in  his  pocket,  he  began  overhauling  the  fire,  and 
questioning  in  his  own  mind  whether  they  should 
get  steam  on  the  white  yacht  or  tow  her. 

Take  a  good  look  around  when  you  get  to 
Jethro's  place,  Captain  Ike,  an'  tell  me  what  you 
think  of  the  work  that  's  bein'  done.  You  see, 
I  've  got  a  sort  of  interest  in  the  venture,  seein'  's 
how  I  'm  payin'  the  bills  for  those  who  bought 
it." 


274  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Then  the  owners  ain't  there  yet  ?  "  Captain  Ike 
asked,  with  evident  disappointment. 
No;  but  they  will  be  very  soon." 

"  I  was  thinkin'  perhaps,  until  they  got  started, 
so  to  speak,  Stephen  an'  I  might  make  a  deal  with 
'em  for  bringin'  their  lobsters  into  market.  Of 
course  they  '11  pull  Jethro's  pots,  an'  he  had  four 
hundred  or  more  out  at  last  accounts." 

"  Yes,  Dearing  is  hired  to  keep  the  business  goin' 
till  they  take  possession;  an',  by  the  way,  he  wants 
to  make  a  trade  with  you  for  the  red  shanty.  By 
lettin'  it  to  him,  you  '11  make  sure  of  buyin'  his 
catch,  an'  you  two  want  to  take  advantage  of  every 
opportunity  for  gettin'  customers,  you  know.  Have 
a  talk  with  him ;  take  plenty  of  time,  an'  look 
around  the  property  there,  for  we  can  charge  it  all 
to  the  account  of  layin'  up  the  Vera,  so  you  won't 
be  any  the  losers.  Let  me  see  you  as  soon  as  you 
get  back." 

Then  Captain  Skillings  went  ashore,  as  if  urgent 
business  demanded  his  attention,  and  the  old  fisher- 
man followed  to  settle  accounts  with  the  bookkeeper, 
while  Stephen  Jordan  stood  in  front  of  the  engine 
thinking,  when  not  trying  to  decide  the  question  of 
whether  to  get  up  steam  on  the  white  yacht  or  the 
Sprite,  that  he  was  an  exceedingly  fortunate  boy. 


HAULING    UP   A   LOBSTER   CAR   FOR   REPAIRS.       Page  274. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

A  SUMMONS. 

CAPTAIN  IKE'S  partner  could  not  decide 
whether  to  use  the  Sprite  for  towing  the 
Vera,  or  the  Vera  for  towing  the  Sprite. 

He  had  a  strong  desire  to  be  on  board  the  white 
yacht  as  he  had  been  on  the  lobster-smack, — to  feel 
her  under  his  control,  as  when  he  regulated  the 
speed,  stopped  the  engine,  or  sent  it  ahead. 

Never  in  his  life  had  he  seen  such  a  beautiful 
craft,  and  it  seemed  to  him  as  if  to  have  charge  of 
her  engines  must  be  something  more  pleasurable, 
more  exciting,  than  would  be  the  same  labor  on 
board  Captain  Skillings's  craft. 

"  The  Vera  must  be  able  to  run  twice  as  fast  as 
this  boat,"  he  said  to  himself;  and  then  came  the 
question  as  to  whether,  with  all  her  dainty  fittings, 
there  would  be  found  on  board  anything  to  answer 
the  same  purpose  as  the  well-tried  bitt  of  the  Sprite  ; 
and  he  decided  that  the  matter  could  not  be  settled 
save  by  making  a  personal  examination. 

After  this  had  been  done,  he  understood  that 
there  was  no  good  cause  for  indecision ;  the  white 
yacht  was  a  most  beautiful  craft,  but,   like  many 

275 


276  Lobster  Catchers. 

another  beautiful  thing,  illy  adapted  to  perform 
hard  work. 

He  boarded  her  while  Captain  Ike  was  yet  en- 
gaged in  settling  accounts,  and,  marvelling  greatly 
at  the  fancifulness  and  wondrous  beauty  of  every- 
thing around,  went  into  the  sumptuously  furnished 
cabins. 

From  there  he  passed  to  the  exceedingly  com- 
fortable quarters  of  the  crew,  and  later  descended 
to  the  engine-room. 

Here  he  was  confronted  by  machinery  of  a  pattern 
such  as  he  had  never  before  seen,  which  required 
no  slight  amount  of  study  before  it  was  possible  to 
get  even  so  much  as  an  understanding  as  to  its 
method  of  working ;  and  the  question  as  to  whether 
fires  should  be  built  in  the  Vera  s  furnace  or  re- 
vived on  board  the  Sprite  was  settled. 

Going  on  deck,  he  hesitated  once  more,  so  great 
was  his  desire  to  have  the  Vera  under  his  control  for 
a  certain  time;  and  questioned  whether  he  might 
not  find  some  engineer  in  the  vicinity  who  could 
give  him  such  hints  or  suggestions  as  would  enable 
him  to  do  the  necessary  work  on  board  the  white 
yacht  during  the  short  run  to  Jethro  Dearing's 
former  property. 

Then  he  looked  about  for  something  to  which 
the  tow-line  might  be  attached. 

That  portion  of  the  Vera  abaft  the  smoke-stack 


A  Summons.  277 

was  taken  up  by  a  deck-house,  which  extended 
within  ten  or  twelve  feet  of  the  stern,  and  this  last 
space,  which  on  a  sailing  yacht  would  have  been 
called  a  cockpit,  was  fitted  up  with  cushions,  folding- 
chairs, and  all  the  conveniences  for  lounging;  but 
never  so  much  as  the  smallest  timber  to  which  a 
hawser  might  be  made  fast. 

"  She  's  a  mighty  fine  craft,"  he  muttered,  "  but 
when  it  comes  down  to  real  work,  the  Sprite  can 
beat  her  way  out.  We  '11  tow  her  as  we  did  before, 
without  making  such  hard  work  of  it;  but  it  won't 
be  as  pleasant  as  when  we  came  from  Seal  Harbor, 
for  I  sha'n't  be  able  to  see  the  fine  ladies  and  gentle- 
men moving  about  on  her  deck." 

He  came  off  from  the  yacht  just  as  his  partner 
had  finished  settling  for  the  last  cargo  discharged ; 
and,  in  response  to  the  eager  questioning  made 
known  the  result  of  his  investigations. 

"It  's  jest  as  well  to  stick  to  the  Sprite,  lad," 
Captain  Ike  said  cheerily.  "  Gingerbread  craft  like 
that  are  not  for  such  as  you  an'  I.  We  belong 
aboard  somethin'  as  rough  as  a  lobster-smack,  an'  can 
hold  our  own  there  with  the  rest  of  'em ;  but  set  us 
on  that  toy  steamer,  an'  we  would  come  no  nearer 
bein'  at  home  than  is  a  fish  out  of  water." 

Stephen  hurried  on  board  the  Sprite,  to  brighten 
the  fires  and  make  ready  for  the  task  of  towing, 
while  his  partner  got  out  the  hawsers  and  warped 


278  Lobster  Catchers. 

the  lobster-smack  out  of  the  dock  to  the  head  of 
the  pier,  where  he  made  fast  a  tow-line. 

Captain  Ike's  first  intention  was  to  put  out  haw- 
sers from  the  Vera  s  bow  on  each  side,  thus  making 
what  seamen  call  a  bridle ;  but  those  standing  nearby 
insisted  that  he  could  not  conveniently  tow  so  large 
a  craft  in  such  a  fashion;  and,  much  to  his  dislike, 
he  found  it  necessary  to  hire  a  third  man,  as  Captain 
Skillings  had  suggested. 

It  was  not  a  difficult  matter  to  find,  around  the 
dock,  an  assistant,  for  the  only  labor  to  be  per- 
formed was  that  of  holding,  by  means  of  her  helm, 
the  white  yacht  in  a  direct  line  with  the  craft  which 
was  towing;  and  before  Stephen  announced  that 
there  was  sufficient  steam  to  begin  the  task,  Captain 
Ike  had  made  all  necessary  arrangements. 

"  I  'd  rather  we  did  the  job  alone,"  Stephen  said, 
when  his  partner  came  into  the  engine-room. 

"  And  so  had  I,  lad,  for  we  two  have  worked  to- 
gether alone  until  I  'm  jealous  of  having  any  one 
come  between  us;  but  Dan  Holt  won't  be  in  the 
way,  seein'  's  how  he  's  bound  to  stand  at  the  Vera  s 
helm ;  an'  we  '11  ship  him  back  mighty  quick  once, 
we  arrive.  I  've  agreed  to  pay  two  dollars;  send 
him  to  the  station  from  Dearing's  dock — it  will  be  a 
matter  of  hirin'  a  team  I  'm  afraid — an'  pay  the 
cost  of  his  railroad  ticket ;  so,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
we  sha'n't  see  much  of  him." 


A  Summons.  279 

Shortly  afterward  the  Sprite  began  the  voyage, 
the  white  yacht  swinging  gracefully  behind  her,  but 
with  never  a  strain  or  jump  at  the  cable  as  on  that 
night  when  the  lobster-smack  pulled  her  out  of  the 
trough  of  the  sea. 

There  is  little  to  be  set  down  concerning  the 
journey  along  the  coast  to  the  place  where  Jethro 
Dearing  had  begun  his  venture  without  first  count- 
ing the  cost. 

The  moon  was  so  nearly  full  that  the  darkness 
was  almost  entirely  dispelled ;  and  to  perform  the 
task  successfully  it  only  required  that  Captain  Ike 
should  steer  the  proper  course  and  Stephen  keep 
his  fires  bright  without  undue  expenditure  of  steam. 

They  arrived  at  the  little  dock  on  the  Dearing 
property  shortly  before  midnight,  and  there  moored 
the  steamers;  for  nothing  more  could  be  done  until 
next  morning,  when  the  workmen  would  be  ready 
to  begin  the  task  of  hauling  her  ashore. 

The  partners  were  awake  and  stirring  as  soon 
as  day  dawned,  both  of  them  eager  to  see  what 
changes  were  being  made  by  those  who  counted  on 
going  into  the  lobster  business  on  an  extensive  scale. 

The  former  owner  of  the  property,  who  it  ap- 
peared had  been  expecting  them,  was  early  at  the 
dock  to  act  the  part  of  host ;  and,  with  many  a  sigh 
because  it  had  been  impossible  to  carry  out  his 
original  plans,  he  led  them  from  point  to  point  that 


280  Lobster  Catchers. 

they  might  see  how  vastly  the  place  would  be 
improved  once  the  proposed  alterations  were  com- 
pleted. 

Already  had  the  storehouse  on  the  dock  been 
clapboarded  and  provided  with  doors  and  windows. 
Timbers  had  been  brought  to  strengthen  and  other- 
wise improve  the  little  pier.  The  vast  collection  of 
lobster-pots  had  been  stacked  up  in  a  huge,  shed- 
like structure  built  to  receive  them,  and  Jethro 
Dearing  pointed  out  the  spot  where  was  to  be  built 
a  six-roomed  cottage  as  habitation  for  those  who 
would  care  for  the  farm. 

Materials  for  the  "  yard  "  were  already  on  the 
premises,  and  a  vast  enclosure  staked  out  across  the 
mouth  of  a  narrow  cove,  providing  ample  place  for 
as  many  lobsters  as  the  most  ambitious  farmer  would 
probably  care  to  have  on  hand  at  any  one  time. 

"  The  man  who  looked  after  this  part  of  the  work 
knew  his  business,"  Captain  Ike  said,  as  he  surveyed 
the  place  critically.  "  I  never  allowed  that  there 
was  any  lobster  catchers  to  speak  of  round  about 
Boston ;  but  this  feller  has  had  a  good  deal  of  ex- 
perience in  that  line,  or  I  'm  mistaken." 

"  I  reckon  there  's  no  mistake  about  it,  Captain 
Ike,  seem'  how  it  was  Samuel  Skillin's  himself  who 
superintended  the  settin'  of  them  'ere  stakes." 

"  Samuel  Skillin's!  Why,  what  has  he  got  to 
do  with  this  place,  Jethro  ?  " 


A  Summons.  281 

"  Well,  you  see,  he  's  kind  of  an  agent,  the  way 
I  make  it,  for  them  as  have  bought." 

"  Who  did  you  sell  to  ?  " 

"  Well,  now,  that  's  where  you  've  got  me,  Cap- 
tain Ike;  I  don't  know.  You  see,  Sam  Skillin's 
did  all  the  business,  an'  I  reckon  he  's  goin'  to  have 
quite  a  finger  in  this  'ere  pie,  'cause  the  deeds  were 
made  some  way  in  trust  to  him — I  don't  rightly 
understand  law  business.  But  between  you  an'  me, 
the  folks  what  paid  me  the  money  don't  count  on 
runnin'  the  place  themselves." 

"  How  much  are  they  spendin'  roundabout  ?" 

"  It  will  cost  twenty-five  hundred  dollars,  if  it 
costs  a  cent,  to  do  all  that  's  planned;  an'  then 
there  won't  be  such  a  lobster  farm  in  this  country, — 
I  might  say  in  this  world, — for  it  can't  be  beat." 

"  You  're  right,  Jethro;  it  cant  be  beat;  an'  if 
I  'd  been  a  little  forehanded,  Stephen  an'  me  would 
be  the  ones  as  would  run  it  from  this  day  out." 

"  I  'd  like  to  have  sold  it  to  you,  Captain  Ike; 
but,  of  course,  I  had  to  have  the  cash,  seein'  's  how 
there  was  so  many  debts;  an'  when  you  come  right 
down  to  that,  I  would  n't  have  sold  but  for  the  sake 
of  payin'  my  creditors." 

"  Did  the  schooner  go  into  the  trade  ?  "  the  old 
fisherman  asked,  observing  that  a  half-dozen  men 
were  beginning  work  on  her;  for  it  was  now  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning. 


282  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  Yes,  I  sold  everything  clear  an'  clean,  an'  am 
countin'  on  tryin'  to  hire  your  shanty.  Captain 
Skillin's  says  you  won't  be  likely  to  tend  lobster- 
pots  for  quite  a  spell,  an'  why  should  n't  you  let  me 
the  place  ?  I  '11  give  a  fair  price,  an'  take  care  of  it 
as  though  it  was  my  own." 

Then  began  the  bargaining,  so  dear  to  Captain 
Ike's  heart,  over  the  price  to  be  paid  for  the  red 
shanty ;  and  before  any  decision  had  been  arrived 
at  the  workmen  who  were  to  put  the  Vera  into  her 
winter  quarters  announced  that  they  were  ready  to 
begin  the  task. 

Stephen  had  never  seen  a  craft  so  large  as  the 
white  yacht  taken  out  of  the  water,  except  in  the 
dry-dock,  and  he  was  deeply  interested  in  the  opera- 
tion, from  the  time  the  huge  cradle,  designed  in  such 
fashion  that  she  would  rest  steadily  and  equally 
upon  all  portions  of  her  hull,  was  sunken  beneath 
the  keel,  until,  at  the  close  of  the  second  day,  by 
aid  of  half  a  dozen  pairs  of  horses,  and  many  a 
creaking  block  and  chain,  she  was  dragged  out  be- 
yond reach  of  the  tide  where,  at  some  later  day,  a 
temporary  house  could  be  built  over  her. 

Again  it  was  Saturday  night,  so  late  that  there 
was  no  possibility  the  Sprite  could  be  taken  into 
port  in  time  to  get  her  coal  on  board ;  and  Captain 
Ike  said  discontentedly,  after  they  were  certain  the 
white  yacht  had  been  cared  for  in  proper  fashion  \ 


A  Summons.  283 

"  We  're  goin'  to  spend  all  the  forenoon  of  next 
Monday  the  same  as  last,  gettin'  to  where  business 
can  be  done.  It 's  too  bad  the  work  was  n't  finished 
so  that  we  could  have  put  in  this  afternoon." 

"  Why  not  run  down  to  the  red  shanty,  and  stay 
there  ?  "  Stephen  suggested. 

"  It  ain't  a  bad  idee,  lad;  an'  we  '11  haul  up  there 
over  Sunday.  It  will  be  givin'  you  a  good  twenty- 
four  hours  to  visit  with  your  mother  an'  the  children. 
Do  you  know,  lad,  it  hurts  me  to  leave  this  place, 
an'  think  somebody  else  will  make  big  money  run- 
nin'  it  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  why  it  should,  Captain  Ike,"  the 
boy  said  laughingly,  "  seeing  there  was  no  chance 
you  could  be  its  owner.  What  's  the  use  of  looking 
enviously  at  things  we  can  never  have  ourselves,  and 
fretting  because  we  were  not  able  to  buy  them  ?  " 

"  Well,  there  's  no  use,  an'  that  's  a  fact;  yet 
I  'd  so  kind  'er  set  my  heart  on  havin'  a  farm  like 
Tom  Dawson's,  especially  after  your  scheme  turned 
out  to  be  so  good,  an'  it  did  seem  as  if  I  was  goin' 
in  time  to  have  what  I  wanted.  But  when  Jethro 
sold,  it  was  like  as  if  somebody  had  defrauded  me 
of  my  just  rights.  Strange,  that  any  Boston  man 
should  have  thought  of  buyin'  this  farm  just  now ! 
Why,  I  figgered  it  would  be  on  the  market  four  or 
five  years,  and  then  he  'd  have  to  almost  give  it 
away,  which  he  has  n't  done  now.     Of  course,  four 


284  Lobster  Catchers. 

thousand  dollars  did  n't  really  pay  for  it;  but  yet 
it  was  a  good  bargain  for  a  man  like  Jethro,  who 
could  n't  go  any  further  in  the  business,  an'  was 
bound  to  see  it  runnin'  backward  every  day." 

I  reckon  the  sooner  we  get  under  way  the  bet- 
ter," Stephen  said  laughingly,  "  for  you  're  work- 
ing yourself  into  a  fever  over  this  property ;  but  I 
don't  count  on  grieving  so  terribly  bad  because  it 's 
gone.  If  we  start  now,  it  will  be  possible  to  get 
home  in  time  to  have  a  late  supper  with  mother. 
I  '11  tell  you  what  we  '11  do!  Make  the  Sprite  fast 
opposite  the  shanty,  an'  go  through  the  town  on 
our  way  to  the  farm.  There  I  '11  buy  something 
good,  and  we  '11  have  another  feast.  You  shall 
sleep  in  the  spare  room  to-night,  and  late  to-morrow 
afternoon  we  '11  come  on  board  again.  How  does 
that  strike  you  ?  " 

"  It  's  a  pretty  good  scheme,  so  far  as  I  'm  con- 
cerned, lad ;  but  the  question  is,  how  '11  your  mother 
take  it,  draggin'  an  old  chap  like  me  in  when  she  's 
got  all  one  woman  ought  to  do  takin'  care  of 
youngsters  ?  " 

"  I  '11  answer  for  it  that  she  '11  be  satisfied,  and 
we  can  go  to  church  to-morrow,  no  matter  if  our 
clothes  ain't  quite  so  fine." 

This  proposition  was  well  calculated  to  soothe 
the  old  man's  grief  because  of  what  he  insisted  upon 
calling  his  loss  of  the  Jethro  Dearing  property;  and 


A  Summons.  285 

before  night  had  come  the  partners,  having  made 
everything  snug  aboard  the  Sprite,  were  walking 
rapidly  through  the  little  village  on  their  circuitous 
route  to  the  Ben  Jordan  farm. 

Stephen  was  as  happy  as  a  boy  well  could  be. 
He  met  many  acquaintances,  each  of  whom  appeared 
to  know  exactly  how  much  money  he  was  earning, 
and,  in  addition,  were  thoroughly  conversant  with 
all  the  assertions  made  by  the  writer  for  the  news- 
paper. 

In  fact,  had  Stephen  not  been  a  remarkably  sen- 
sible lad,  his  head  might  have  been  turned  by  the 
many  words  of  praise,  and  even  flattery,  which  he 
heard. 

As  it  was,  however,  he  simply  laughed  when  some 
comrade  declared  that  Captain  Skillings  had  said  he 
was  "  one  lad  in  a  thousand,"  and  denied  the  truth 
of  such  statements  as  that  he  was  "  making  a  hun- 
dred dollars  a  week." 

"  Captain  Ike  and  I  are  earning  fair  wages,  and 
that  's  about  all  we  dare  to  count  on,"  he  said, 
again  and  again,  emphasizing  the  words  in  order 
that  they  might  the  better  be  believed.  "  What  you 
saw  in  the  newspapers  don't  amount  to  anything,  for 
there  is  n't  one  fellow  in  this  village  who  would  n't 
jump  overboard  to  save  a  drowning  baby." 

Captain  Ike  was  more  delighted  than  his  partner 
because  they  were  the  objects  of  so  much  attention, 


286  Lobster  Catchers. 

and  he  said,  with  a  chuckle  of  satisfaction,  as  they 
neared  the  Ben  Jordan  farm : 

I  *11  tell  you,  lad,  there  's  nothin'  like  hearin' 
that  you  've  been  doin'  a  big  thing,  whether  it  's 
true  or  not.  I  've  been  round  this  town,  man  an' 
boy,  nigh  on  to  fifty  years,  an'  nobody  ever  thought 
I  'mounted  to -more  than  enough  to  run  a  fishin' 
schooner  until  now.  It  's  a  pity  we  could  n't  come 
across  Deacon  Joshua  just  this  minute.  I  'd  like 
to  see  him  after  Captain  Skillin's  laid  down  the 
law. ' ' 

But  Deacon  Joshua  Brackett  was  not  abroad  on 
this  evening;  and  even  if  he  had  been,  it  is  a  ques- 
tion whether  he  would  have  halted  for  an  interview 
with  these  two  whose  plans  he  had  unsuccessfully 
tried  to  thwart. 

Probably  the  happiest  person  in  the  village  on 
this  evening  was  Mrs.  Jordan,  when  her  son  and  his 
partner  arrived  with  their  store  of  good  things  in- 
tended for  the  evening's  feast,  and  announced  that 
they  had  come  to  spend  the  Sabbath. 

She  bustled  around  energetically,  making  ready 
this  dainty  or  that,  while  the  children  clambered  in 
high  glee  upon  Stephen's  knee;  and  the  good 
woman  would  have  exhausted  all  the  stores  in  her 
scanty  larder  in  the  effort  to  make  the  meal  a  culin- 
ary triumph,  had  Captain  Ike  not  prevented  her  by 
saying : 


A  Summons.  287 

"  Now,  look  here,  Letty  Jordan, — there  's  no 
reason  for  your  jumpin'  round  in  this  fashion. 
Except  for  the  supper  of  beefsteak  Stephen  an'  I 
had  a  week  ago  to-night,  we  've  been  livin'  on  fish 
an'  lobsters,  with  now  an'  then  a  pan  of  biscuit,  an' 
the  meanest  thing  you  've  got  in  this  house,  though 
I  ain't  sayin'  you  cook  anythin'  that  ain't  up  to  the 
mark,  will  be  a  luxury  to  us.  We  'd  rather  spend 
more  time  talkin',  an'  have  you  take  things  a  little 
easier." 

Then,  after  the  supper  had  been  eaten,  Stephen 
assisting  his  mother  in  washing  the  dishes,  and  the 
children  were  put  to  bed,  the  three  older  people  sat 
down  for  a  chat,  which  was  not  brought  to  a  con- 
clusion until  an  unusually  late  hour,  because  Mrs. 
Jordan  had  insisted  upon  learning  all  the  details  of 
their  work. 

She  had  heard  from  the  neighbors  of  the  last 
interview  between  Captain  Skillings  and  Deacon 
Brackett ;  and  while  regretting  that  there  had  been 
necessity  for  speaking  harsh  words  to  her  brother, 
rejoiced  that  he  had  seemingly  concluded  to  make 
no  further  attempt  at  meddling  in  the  business  con- 
cerns of  Jordan  &  Dyer. 

Early  next  morning,  Captain  Ike  went  down  to 
the  red  shanty,  in  order  to  ' '  furbish  up, "  as  he  called 
it ;  which  meant  that  he  would  change  his  working 
garments  for  a  suit  of  clothes  he  had  worn  when 


288  Lobster  Catchers. 

captain  of  the  Ellen  Maria  ;  and  two  hours  later,  the 
old  fisherman,  in  the  lee  of  the  Jordan  family,  set 
out  for  church. 

It  seemed  to  Stephen,  when  the  hour  arrived  at 
which  they  must  depart,  as  if  he  had  been  at  home 
simply  for  a  hurried  call,  so  quickly  had  the  time 
passed ;  but  his  heart  was  light  as  he  turned  toward 
the  mooring  place  of  the  Sprite,  for  he  knew  now 
that  his  mother  had  all  that  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary, and  would  no  longer  be  haunted  by  the  fear 
that  the  homestead  might  be  taken  from  her. 

"If  we  only  have  a  profitable  business  next 
week!  "  the  lad  said,  while  they  walked  slowly 
along,  as  if  it  were  profanity  to  quicken  their  steps 
on  the  Sabbath.  "  If  we  only  can  have  a  profitable 
business  next  week!  " 

"  If  only  it  had  been  us  who  bought  the  Jethro 
Dearing  place!"  Captain  Ike  echoed;  and  then, 
realizing  the  absurdity  of  thus  looking  at  the  same 
moment  into  the  past  and  the  future,  the  old  man 
burst  forth  in  a  cheery  laugh. 

"  Why,  lad,  we  're  makin'  a  couple  of  fools  of 
ourselves.  It  ain't  so  many  days  since  we  stood 
nearabout,  sayin'  '  if  we  could  only  get  the  money 
with  which  to  buy  the  Sprite,'  an'  whinin'  in  that 
senseless  fashion.  Well,  all  in  good  time  the  Sprite 
came  to  us,  so  to  speak,  an'  we  've  earned  money 
by  her,  more  than  you  could  have  made  in  a  year's 


A  Summons.  289 

work  on  the  Ben  Jordan  farm.  I  've  done  as  well 
as  a  man  of  my  age  can  expect  to  do  ;  an'  yet  you  're 
cryin'  about  what  the  next  week  will  bring  forth, 
while  I  'm  howlin'  over  somethin'  that  's  'way 
beyond  my  reach.  We  've  reason  to  be  mighty 
thankful,  lad,  an'  it  comes  pretty  nigh  a  sin  to  look 
either  ahead  or  behind  with  regrets,  unless  it  should 
be  we  had  done  somethin'  an  honest  man  ought 
not." 

"  I  won't  look  ahead  again,  Captain  Ike." 

"  I  don't  mean  you  should  n't,  lad,  'cause  it 
stands  us  in  hand  to  lay  our  plans.  What  I  'm 
drivin'  at  is,  that  a  man  has  got  no  business  to  cross 
a  bridge  before  he  comes  to  it,  which  means,  don't 
go  ahead  to  find  trouble;  it  '11  come  soon  enough 
if  you  've  got  to  meet  it.  We  '11  do  all  we  can 
toward  makin'  business  profitable  next  week;  then, 
if  things  don't  come  our  way,  no  one  is  to  be 
blamed." 

Stephen  "  did  all  he  could  toward  makin'  busi- 
ness profitable,"  by  rising  next  morning  before 
daylight,  and  starting  the  fire  in  the  furnace. 

Then,  after  making  the  coffee,  he  awakened  his 
partner,  and  Captain  Ike  said,  with  somewhat  of 
dissatisfaction  in  his  tone  as  he  looked  around : 

"  Now,  see  here,  lad,  there  's  to  be  no  waitin'  on 

me.     You   might  as  well  understand  that  first  as 

last." 
19 


290  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  I  'm  not  waiting  on  you,  Captain  Ike;  but  was 
just  making  things  ready  so  that  we  could  get  away 
before  sunrise.  I  happened  to  waken,  and  there 
was  no  call  to  arouse  you  until  breakfast  time." 

"I  '11  do  my  share  of  the  kitchen-work  after 
this,"  the  old  man  replied  decidedly.  Thanks  to 
Stephen's  early  rising,  the  Sprite  was  alongside 
the  coal  wharf  in  port  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  to 
make  a  purchase. 

It  was  Captaia. Ike's  intention  to  depart  without 
reporting  to  the  owner  of  the  steamer,  so  eager 
was  he  to  be  at  work  again;  but  Stephen  insisted 
that  such  a  course  would  not  only  be  unwise,  but 
imprudent. 

"  We  don't  even  know  what  price  lobsters  are 
likely  to  fetch  this  week,"  he  said,  while  trying  to 
convince  the  old  man  they  should  run  into  the 
Skillings'  dock.  "  That  must  be  found  out  before 
we  can  do  business  intelligently;  and  then,  again, 
it  's  only  right  to  see  Captain  Skillings,  for  his  last 
orders  were  that  we  report  to  him  regarding  what  is 
being  done  at  Jethro  Dearing's  place." 

"  I  allow  the  report  can  wait  till  we  come  back." 

"  Perhaps  he  's  in  no  great  hurry;  but  at  the 
same  time  our  orders  were  to  see  him  as  soon  as  we 
were  through  over  there ;  and  he  would  have  good 
cause  for  being  angry  if  we  started  away  in  such  a 
hurry." 


A  Summons.  291 

"  But  we  're  wastin'  the  forenoon  again,  just  as 
we  did  last  week." 

"  It  can't  be  helped,"  the  lad  said,  decidedly. 
"  Captain  Skillings  is  the  owner  of  the  steamer,  and 
we  're  bound  to  obey  his  orders.  Besides,  you 
and  I  have  earned  twenty  dollars,  in  addition  to 
what  's  been  paid  out,  and  if  we  can  take  that 
money  with  us,  there  will  be  a  chance  of  buying 
just  so  many  more  lobsters." 

It  was  this  last  argument  which  convinced  the 
old  fisherman ;  and  as  they  cast  off  the  hawsers  after 
cleaning  the  coal  dust  from  the  decks,  he  said 
petulantly : 

"  We  '11  run  round  there,  lad;  but,  mark  my 
words,  there  's  to  be  no  loiterin',  'cause  we  ain't  in 
a  condition  to  spend  the  time.  A  word  or  two  with 
the  bookkeeper,  an'  the  business  part  of  it  is  over. 
If  Captain  Skillin's  is  n't  on  hand  when  we  arrive, 
that  's  his  business,  not  ours. " 

But  they  did  not  leave  port  that  day,  however 
good  were  the  old  fisherman's  intentions. 

When  the  latter  entered  Captain  Skillings's  office 
he  was  handed  a  letter  which  contained  the  follow- 
ing peremptory  order : 

Do   not   leave   port    under  any  circumstances 
until  you  have  seen  me. 

(Signed)    "  Samuel  Skillings." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A   DREAM   REALIZED. 

CAPTAIN  IKE  returned  to  the  Sprite  in  a 
towering  rage. 

Not  a  word  did  he  speak,  from  the  moment 
Stephen  read  aloud  the  peremptory  order  from  the 
merchant,  until  they  were  alone  in  the  engine- 
room,  and  then  he  gave  way  to  invectives  against 
such  "  slip-shod  ways  of  runnin'  the  lobster  busi- 
ness." 

"  We  're  not  to  leave  port  till  we  've  seen  him, 
eh  ?  "  he  cried  furiously,  turning  upon  his  partner 
as  if  holding  him  personally  responsible  for  the 
delay.  "  We  're  to  hang  round  here  till  Samuel 
Skillin's  sees  fit  to  heave  in  sight,  whatever  time 
that  may  be.  A  man  like  him  can  afford  to  keep 
idle  a  steamer  that  has  been  earnin'  more  'n  her 
worth ;  but  why  should  he  take  the  bread  an'  butter 
out  of  our  mouths  ?  " 

"It  is  not  fair  for  you  to  fall  into  such  a  rage, 
Captain  Ike,"  Stephen  said  soothingly.  "  Most 
likely  there  is  good  reason  for  an  interview — of 
course  there  is,  else  he  would  n't  have  left  such  a 
message." 

2q2 


A  Dream  Realized.  293 

"  Oh,  he  would  n't,  eh  ?  Well,  I  tell  you,  he  's 
got  some  foolish  talk  to  make,  an'  seein'  's  how 
we  're  what  might  be  called  his  servants,  he  orders 
us  to  cool  our  heels  here  till  he  sees  fit  to  loaf  down 
on  the  dock.  In  the  meantime  other  smacks  are 
takin'  on  board  lobsters  that  by  right  belong  in  the 
Sprite  s  tank. 

"  Perhaps  it  won't  pay  to  buy  lobsters  yet  a 
while.  You  remember,  and  so  do  I,  of  many  times 
when  a  man  would  lose  money  by  getting  a  large 
stock  on  hand.  Who  knows  but  that  Captain  Skill- 
ings  has  more  in  his  cars  this  morning  than  can  be 
sold  during  the  week  ?  " 

"  Well,  what  if  he  has  ?  I  reckon  there  are  other 
dealers  in  this  port." 

"  But  we  have  no  right  to  sell  to  them  without  the 
Captain's  permission.  His  ownership  of  the  Sprite 
gives  him  a  full  half-interest  in  the  whole  business 
we  are  trying  to  carry  on,  which  is  more  than  you 
or  I  have  singly ;  therefore  it  is  for  him  to  say  what 
we  shall  or  shall  not  do." 

Captain  Ike  was  in  no  humor  to  listen  to  his  part- 
ner. He  firmly  believed  the  merchant  was  in  a 
certain  sense  defrauding  them  of  prospective  profits, 
which  seemed  all  the  greater  because  he  could  not 
set  about  gathering  them  in. 

It  is  quite  probable  that,  but  for  the  firm  stand 
Stephen  took,  the  old  man  would  have  put  to  sea 


294  Lobster  Catchers. 

at  once,  regardless  of  the  merchant's  order  to  the 
contrary ;  and  he  did  not  cease  complaining  of  the  in- 
justice which  was  being  done  them  until  a  cheery  hail 
from  the  dock  told  that  Captain  Skillings  had  arrived. 

"  Hello,  aboard  the  Sprite  !  "  he  cried,  in  a  tone 
which  told  that  he  was  in  the  best  of  spirits;  and 
when  Stephen  looked  out  from  the  companion-way, 
for  Captain  Ike  refused  to  so  much  as  reply,  the 
merchant  said,  with  an  unusual  degree  of  friendli- 
ness in  both  speech  and  manner: 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  lad !  So  you  got  my  note,  eh  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  have  been  waiting  since  seven 
o'clock." 

"  Well,  you  won't  lose  anythin'  by  holdin'  on  a 
spell  longer.  I  've  got  a  little  business  to  look 
after  here,  an'  then  we  '11  be  off." 

' '  Are  you  going  away  in  the  Sprite,  sir  ? " 
Stephen  asked  in  astonishment. 

"  We  three  are  bound  on  a  little  pleasure  trip. 
While  I  'm  at  work  in  the  office  let  Captain  Ike  lay 
in  a  good  supply  of  stores,  for  we  ain't  likely  to  get 
very  choice  provisions  over  there." 

"  What  shall  he  buy,  sir  ?  "  Stephen  asked  in 
bewilderment. 

"  Steaks,  chops,  bread,  an'  whatever  may  serve 
to  set  out  the  table  in  good  style  for  a  couple  of 
days.  Use  your  own  money,  an'  we  '11  settle  ac- 
counts later." 


A  Dream  Realized.  295 

Then,  without  the  slightest  suspicion  that  his 
words  were  giving  Captain  Ike  yet  greater  offence, 
he  hurried  into  his  office,  leaving  Stephen  on  the 
companion-way  ladder  a  fairly  good  picture  of  per- 
plexity and  astonishment. 

"  Did  you  hear  what  he  said  ?"  the  lad  asked 
presently,  and  the  old  fisherman  replied  moodily  : 

"Ay;  an'  if  he  thinks  we've  nothin' to  do  but 
freight  him  from  Dan  to  Beersheba  jest  because 
the  fancy  takes  him,  it  's  time  some  plain  talk  was 
made." 

A  most  difficult  task  was  it  for  Stephen  to  bring 
his  partner  into  a  more  satisfactory  frame  of  mind, 
and  it  was  not  concluded  until  he  had  painted  in 
glowing  colors  the  possible  result  of  neglecting  to 
obey  orders. 

When  Captain  Ike  fully  realized  that  the  merchant 
might  refuse  to  longer  do  business  with  them  on 
shares  if  his  wishes  were  thus  disregarded,  and  that 
the  end  of  their  lobster  scheme  had  surely  come 
when  he  withdrew  his  support,  the  old  fisherman 
became  more  amenable  to  reason,  finally  setting 
forth  to  execute  the  commission. 

Half  an  hour  later,  nothing  had  been  heard  from 
the  merchant;  but  Captain  Ike  appeared  on  the 
dock,  literally  weighted  down  with  packages. 

"  What  can  you  have  been  buying  ?"  Stephen 
asked  in  surprise. 


296  Lobster  Catchers. 

Everythin'  eatable  I  could  find,"  was  the  grim 
reply.  "If  we  're  to  spend  our  time  freightin' 
Samuel  Skillin's  round,  it  shall  cost  him  a  pretty 
penny  before  the  cruise  comes  to  an  end.  I  've 
got  sweetbreads,  calves'  livers,  an'  a  lot  of  stuff  I 
never  tasted,  because  it  come  too  high,  to  say  no- 
thin'  of  the  best  beefsteak  and  the  fanciest  chops 
to  be  found.  Paid  thirty  cents  a  pound  for  young 
lamb,  an'  I  don't  reckon  it  '11  taste  as  well  as  sea- 
soned mutton!  Samuel  Skillin's  sha'n't  trample 
on  me  without  payin'  the  fiddler!  " 

The  fact  that  he  had  avenged  himself  by  purchas- 
ing luxuries  exercised  a  soothing  influence  on  Cap- 
tain Ike's  mind,  and  now  he  was  in  a  passably  good 
humor. 

"How  much  did  you  spend  ?  "  Stephen  asked  in 
a  whisper  of  dismay,  when  his  partner  had  come  on 
board. 

"  Nigh  on  to  six  dollars!  Samuel  Skillin's  needs 
a  stiff  lesson,  an'  I  've  given  it  to  him !  " 

With  many  a  sigh  and  fear  for  the  result  of  this 
reckless  extravagance,  Stephen  stowed  the  dainties 
where  they  would  be  kept  from  the  steam  and  dust 
of  the  engine-room,  after  which  he  went  on  deck  to 
await  the  owner's  coming,  inwardly  trembling  with 
apprehension  lest  his  partner's  insubordination 
should  be  noted  by  Captain  Skillings. 

The  forenoon  was  well-nigh  spent  when  the  mer- 


A  Dream  Realized.  297 

chant  came  on  board  the  little  steamer,  his  face 
wreathed  in  smiles,  and  every  gesture  betraying  the 
fact  that  he  was  in  a  remarkably  friendly  mood. 

Well,  shipmates,"  he  cried  jovially,  "  are  we 
ready  for  a  reg'lar  junketin'  ?  " 

Steam  is  up,  sir,  an'  we  can  start  when  you  say 
the  word,"  Stephen  replied,  opening  the  furnace 
door  as  if  to  prove  his  statement. 

"  And  we  've  plenty  on  board  to  keep  our 
stomachs  well  filled  for  two  days  or  more  ?  " 

"  I  reckon  you  '11  think  so  when  it  comes  to  a 
settlement,"  Captain  Ike  said  gruffly. 

Then  we  're  what  might  be  called  in  fine  shape. 
I  've  left  matters  in  the  office  so  that  business  will 
go  on  after  a  fashion  without  me,  an'  count  on 
takin'  a  holiday.  How  does  that  strike  you,  Captain 
Ike ;  two  old  boys  like  us  goin'  off  for  a  good  time  ?  " 

"It  's  all  very  well  for  a  rich  man  like  you  to 
fritter  away  his  time  on  nonsense,"  the  old  fisher- 
man replied;  "  but  Stephen  an'  I  are  bound  to  earn 
a  livin,'  an'  it  can't  well  be  done  while  we  're 
junketin',  as  you  call  it." 

So  you  've  lost  your  temper  because  we  're  to 
waste  a  day  or  two,  eh  ?  "  and  Captain  Skillings 
laughed  as  if  the  old  man's  surly  mood  afforded  him 
the  more  pleasure.  "  There  's  no  need  of  your 
pullin'  a  long  face,  Ike  Dyer,  because  we  three  are 
bound  on  a  frolic,   an'   I    'm  the  skipper.     It  has 


298  Lobster  Catchers. 

been  many  a  long  day  since  I  threw  business  to  the 
winds  as  I  'm  doin'  now,  an'  a  grumpy  old  cur- 
mudgeon like  you  sha'n't  be  allowed  to  spoil  the 
fun." 

"  What  are  lobsters  worth  this  mornin'  ?  "  Cap- 
tain Ike  asked,  much  as  if  to  show  that  he  was  not 
minded  to  throw  business  to  the  winds. 

"  It  makes  no  difference  to  you  whether  they  've 
dropped  to  ten  dollars,  or  jumped  up  to  twenty.  This 
is  a  good  time  that  we  're  bound  on,  an'  the  market 
don't  cut  any  figger  in  the  proceedings.  Wait  till 
we  get  back,  an'  then  I  '11  be  as  keen  as  you  please 
for  fifty  cents  more  or  less,  accordin'  to  whether 
I  'm  buyin'  or  sellin'.  Are  you  ready  to  turn  on 
the  steam,  lad  ?  " 

"  We  've  got  fifty  pounds  pressure,  sir." 

"  Then  let  her  go,  Captain  Ike.  Send  her  along 
moderately,  for  I  'm  takin'  my  last  run  in  the 
Sprite  as  her  owner,  an'  don't  want  it  ended  too 
soon." 

Stephen  was  mystified  by  this  remark,  and  even 
the  old  fisherman  looked  a  trifle  bewildered  as  he 
asked,  with  more  of  friendliness  in  his  tone  than  he 
had  shown  since  Captain  Skillings  came  aboard : 

"  What  's  the  course,  sir  ?  " 

"  We  '11  take  a  squint  at  that  famous  place  Jethro 
Dearing  sold,  an'  after  that  —  well,  after  that,  per- 
haps,   we    sha'n't   want    any   more   merry-makin'. 


A  Dream  Realized.  299 

Tell  me  where  the  provisions  are  stowed,  lad,  an' 
while  Captain  Ike  steers  his  course,  an'  you  have  an 
eye  on  the  engine,  I  '11  show  you  two  that  I  have  n't 
forgotten  how  to  cook.  In  the  old  days,  when  I 
was  n't  worth  a  dollar,  an'  folks  called  me  '  shiftless 
Sam  Skillings,'  I  could  get  up  a  dinner  that  would 
make  your  mouths  water." 

The  orders  were  obeyed — Stephen  and  his  partner 
frightened  into  silence  by  this  sudden  change  in  the 
merchant,  whom  some  were  pleased  to  call  a  skin- 
flint. 

As  the  steamer  backed  out  from  amid  the  lobster- 
cars,  Captain  Skillings  overhauled  the  purchases 
made  by  the  old  fisherman,  and  instead  of  receiving 
the  lesson  in  the  spirit  it  had  been  intended,  he  said 
in  a  tone  of  satisfaction  : 

"  I  had  no  idea  Ike  Dyer  had  so  much  good 
sense!  He  has  fitted  us  out  in  great  shape,  Stephen 
Jordan — I  could  n't  have  done  better  myself;  an'  if 
we  don't  make  the  most  of  this  pleasure  trip,  it 
won't  be  because  we  have  n't  enough  to  eat." 

Then  he  set  about  playing  the  part  of  cook,  ap- 
pearing to  find  no  slight  enjoyment  in  the  work, 
and  looking  out  of  the  engine-room  from  time  to 
time  to  take  note  of  the  coast. 

"  I  've  laid  in  that  cove  many  a  night,  wonderin' 
how  I  'd  get  hold  of  enough  money  to  buy  a  pair  of 
rubber  boots,"  he  said  at  one  portion  of  the  cruise, 


300  Lobster  Catchers. 

explaining  to  Stephen  on  what  "  lay  "  he  was  work- 
ing at  the  time.  "  Here  's  where  I  set  lobster-pots 
for  a  season,  an'  over  yonder,  the  other  side  of  that 
bluff,  I  began  the  business  of  buyin'  fish,  leavin' 
others  the  hardest  part  of  the  work  —  the  catchin', 
I  mean." 

There  was  hardly  a  cove,  bay,  or  point  concern- 
ing which  the  merchant  did  not  have  some  story  to 
tell  regarding  his  early  struggles,  and  Stephen  be- 
came so  interested  in  the  many  stories  that  the  fire 
was  neglected.  The  steam  had  fallen  low,  leaving 
the  Sprite  almost  helpless  upon  the  waters. 

The  deepest  mortification  seized  the  lad  as  Cap- 
tain Ike  made  him  aware  of  the  disagreeable  fact, 
by  asking  through  the  tube  if  he  "  counted  on 
heavin'  to  for  a  spell  ?  "  and  he  would  have  atoned 
for  his  neglect  at  once,  but  that  the  merchant  said 
in  a  contented  tone: 

Leave  things  as  they  are,  lad.  The  power  has 
gone  at  the  right  time ;  dinner  is  the  same  as  ready. 
We  '11  eat  it  while  the  fires  are  comin'  up,  the  three 
of  us,  which  is  what  could  n't  have  been  done  if  she 
was  runnin'.  The  Sprite  won't  get  into  mischief  if 
she  's  allowed  to  drift  around  here  for  an  hour,  an* 
we  '11  make  a  comfortable  meal  of  it." 

The  merchant's  humor  was  irresistible,  and  more 
so,  perhaps,  since  he  seldom  displayed  it  in  such 
form,  and  Captain  Ike  straightway  forgot  his  fancied 


A  Dream  Realized.  301 

injuries  after  being  helped  to  his  portion  of  the  lamb 
chops. 

The  Sprite,  her  screw  motionless,  gently  rose  and 
fell  on  the  lazy  swell,  while  this  strangely  assorted 
trio  feasted  and  made  merry  in  the  dingy  cabin, 
which  was  at  the  same  time  an  engine-room  and  a 
forecastle. 

Then,  the  meal  concluded,  the  little  steamer  sped 
on  once  more,  her  bow  turned  toward  that  place 
where  Jethro  Dearing  had  made  a  lamentable 
failure ;  but  which  was  to  be  brought  into  proper 
shape  by  the  capital  of  the  "  Boston  folks." 

Captain  Skillings  acted  alternately  as  engineer 
and  helmsman,  and  appeared  to  be  having  a  most 
enjoyable  time;  but  the  old  fisherman  was  begin- 
ning to  indulge  in  grave  misgivings. 

Once,  while  the  merchant  was  at  the  wheel,  Cap- 
tain Ike  came  stealthily  into  the  engine-room,  and 
said  in  a  cautious  whisper: 

Keep  a  sharp  lookout  on  the  Captain,  lad.  It  's 
my  belief  he  's  gone  crazy,  an'  when  this  friendly 
fit  passes  off  he  may  try  to  do  us  a  mischief." 

It  appears  to  me  as  if  he  is  simply  enjoying 
himself,"  Stephen  suggested,  considerably  alarmed 
by  his  partner's  words. 

I  allow  he  may  be ;  but  somethin'  is  wrong  with 
his  head,  or  Sam  Skillin's  would  n't  be  kickin'  up 
his  heels  in  this  fashion.     I  could   understand  if  he 


302  Lobster  Catchers. 

was  n't  worth  a  cent;  but  when  a  rich  man  gets  to 
cavortin'  round  like  this  you  can  set  it  down  as  a 
fact  that  he  's  lost  his  wits." 

The  "  friendly  fit  "  did  not  wear  off  during  the 
voyage,  and  when  finally  the  steamer  was  made 
fast  to  the  pier  on  the  Jethro  Dearing  place,  Cap- 
tain Skillings  gave  evidence  of  exceedingly  sound 
sense,  which  could  not  have  been  expected  from  a 
lunatic,  by  pointing  out  in  what  way  the  landing- 
place  might  be  greatly  and  economically  improved. 

And,  save  for  occasional  spasms  of  silent  mirth, 
which  were  indulged  in  even  when  the  conversa- 
tion was  of  a  most  serious  nature,  the  merchant  ap- 
peared to  be  his  old  self,  scolding  a  workman 
here  for  idling  when  he  should  be  at  work,  or 
demanding  that  some  certain  job  be  attended  to 
more  carefully. 

"  I  reckon  I  was  wrong  about  his  bein'  crazy," 
Captian  Ike  whispered  to  Stephen  at  a  convenient 
opportunity;  "  but  I  still  hold  to  it  there  's  some- 
thin'  queer  with  his  head,  else  why  did  he  cut  up 
so  aboard  the  Sprite?  " 

Captain  Skillings  pointed  out  to  his  companions 
— for  he  insisted  peremptorily  that  the  old  man  and 
Stephen  should  accompany  him  on  his  tour  of  in- 
spection —  the  many  changes  he  intended  to  make, 
under  direction  of  the  owners,  and  the  partners  were 
speedily  convinced  that  each  improvement  would  be 


A  Dream  Realized.  303 

of  particular  value  to  the  property  if  it  was  to  be 
conducted  as  a  lobster  farm. 

"  It  '11  go  way  ahead  of  Tom  Dawson's,  after  you 
get  it  into  runnin'  order,"  Captain  Ike  said  enthusi- 
astically, as,  the  survey  of  the  grounds  being  con- 
cluded, the  three  stopped  at  the  head  of  the  pier. 

There  won't  be  anythin'  like  it  hereabouts,  an'  a 
good  man  can  make  heaps  of  money." 

"  That  's  what  he  can,  by  attendin'  to  business," 
the  merchant  replied  emphatically.  "  The  yard  will 
hold  ten  thousand  lobsters  without  overcrowdin', 
while  by  the  arrangement  for  holdin'  back  the  water 
of  a  flood-tide,  you  can  work  here  twelve  hours  on  a 
stretch.  My  idea  is  that  the  schooner  shall  be  used 
in  the  herrin'  fishery,  so  we  '11  have  food  for  the 
stock  at  all  times,  and  without  spendin'  any  great 
amount  of  money.  Feed  the  lobsters  plentifully, 
and  they  '11  live  week  in  an'  week  out  with  never  a 
thought  of  chewin'  each  other  to  pieces." 

Does  the  new  owner  count  on  settin'  pots  him- 
self—  I  mean,  will  he  go  into  that  part  of  the  busi- 
ness ?  " 

Not  unless  they  are  fools.  Here  are  traps 
enough,  an'  you  '11  find  three  boats  in  the  store- 
house. It  should  n't  be  hard  to  get  men  who  'd 
work  on  shares,  if  they  can  be  provided  with  good 
outfits.  I  'd  guarantee  to  have  a  dozen  workin'  at 
the  halves  for  me  in  less  than  three  weeks,  an'  then 


304  Lobster  Catchers. 

you  can  see  how  the  profits  will  roll  up.  In  the 
meantime,  the  Sprite  ought  to  be  run  as  now,  buy- 
ing on  a  low  market,  an'  sellin'  when  prices  are  up. 
There  's  a  good  five  thousand  a  year  in  the  plan,  if 
no  more." 

You  spoke  of  the  Sprite  running  ?"  Stephen 
asked  tremulously.  "  Have  the  Boston  folks 
bought  her,  sir  ?  " 

"  Yes,  lad,  an'  I  count  on  turnin'  her  over  this 
afternoon;  that  is  why  I  brought  you  out  here." 

Stephen's  interest  in  the  surroundings  suddenly 
vanished. 

A  big  lump  came  up  in  his  throat  as  he  thus 
understood  that  his  short-lived  scheme  was  at  an 
end  —  that  he  would  be  forced  to  go  back  on  the 
farm,  there  to  idle  away  his  time  and  run  in  debt 
unless,  perchance,  he  made  application  to  the  new 
owners  of  the  Dearing  property  for  a  chance  to  catch 
lobsters  for  them  on  shares. 

He  turned  his  head  lest  Captain  Skillings  should 
see  the  tears  which  were  rapidly  filling  his  eyes,  and 
the  old  fisherman  looked  in  silent  sorrow  and  re- 
proach at  the  man  who  had  sold,  without  warning 
them,  the  steamer  he  once  declared  they  should  run 
during  the  winter. 

"So  we  're  to  be  turned  out  of  the  Sprite  — 
Stephen  an'  me,  eh  ?  "  he  asked  huskily,  not  so 
much  as  looking  at  the  merchant. 


A  Dream  Realized.  305 

"  That  is  as  them  who  own  the  property  shall 
say,"  Captain  Skillings  replied.  "  They  '11  be  al- 
lowed to  run  the  place  after  their  own  fashion,  even 
though  Mr.  Hamilton  an'  I  each  hold  one  third." 

"  Mr.  Hamilton  ?  Him  whose  toy  yacht  we 
picked  up  ?  " 

Captain  Skillings  nodded,  and  continued : 

"  I  've  had  this  property  in  my  eye  for  a  year  or 
more,  an'  when  Hamilton  offered  to  go  into  the 
plan,  givin'  you  two  a  full  third  instead  of  payin' 
salvage,  I  was  agreed.  You  see,  we  don't  count  on 
controllin'  the  work;  but  of  course  would  step  in  if 
things  were  goin'  wrong,  an'  equally  of  course,  I 
hold  to  it  I  should  be  allowed  first  choice  when  it 
come  to  sellin'  lobsters.  The  Sprite  and  yonder 
schooner,  the  nets,  lobster-pots,  an',  in  fact,  every- 
thing here,  together  with  more  to  come,  all  belong 
with  the  venture.  When  things  are  in  shape  ac- 
cordin'  to  my  notions,  the  property  will  stand  us  a 
little  risin'  eight  thousand  dollars " 

"  Who  did  you  say  would  run  the  place,  sir  ?  " 
Stephen  asked,  his  voice  trembling  and  his  face 
pale. 

"  You  two,  of  course ;  an'  what  's  more,  the  deeds 
show  you  own  a  full  third  of  everything " 

"  Look  here,  Sam  Skillin's,  say  that  over  agin', 
will  you,  an'  remember  this  ain't  the  time  for 
jokes,"  Captain  Ike  said,  imploringly. 


306  Lobster  Catchers. 

"  I  never  was  further  from  joking  in  my  life,  Ike 
Dyer.  You  an'  Stephen  Jordan  own  a  full  third  of 
this  property,  an'  all  that  's  to  be  put  on  it  until 
eight  thousand,  two  hundred  dollars  have  been 
spent.  I  wanted  to  buy  it  last  summer;  but  did  n't 
see  my  way  clear  to  put  out  so  much  money;  an', 
what  's  more  to  the  point,  I  had  n't  anybody  in 
view  then  whom  I'd  trust  to  manage  it.  When " 

"  Do  you  mean  that  the  lad  an'  I  own  a  third 
without  havin'  to  go  in  debt  for  it  ?  "  Captain  Ike 
cried. 

"  That  's  it  exactly.  Hamilton  and  I  are  only 
silent  partners,  an'  you  shall  go  your  own  gait  in 
the  management  unless  things  get  decidedly  wrong, 
when,  as  a  matter  of  course,  we  should  claim  the 
right  to  have  an  equal  voice  in  the  business.  I  'm 
not  afraid  but  that  you  and  Stephen  will  get  as 
many  dollars  out  of  it  as  anybody  could." 

"  An'  to  think  that  I  tried  to  get  square  with 
him  by  squanderin'  his  money  on  lamb  at  thirty 
cents  a  pound!  "  Captain  Ike  whispered  to  Stephen 
in  a  tone  of  deepest  self-reproach. 

"  Don't  give  me  credit  for  what  ain't  deserved," 
Captain  Skillings  said  quickly.  "  My  bank  account 
ain't  big  enough  to  admit  of  makin'  such  presents; 
I  've  simply  put  in  one  third  of  the  amount,  as  I 
should  do  in  any  ordinary  speculation.  Hamilton 
talked  with  me  about  pay  in'  somethin'  in  the  way 


A  Dream  Realized.  307 

of  salvage,  an'  makin'  a  present  for  your  havin' 
saved  his  daughter.  While  we  were  turnin'  the 
matter  over,  I  thought  of  this  place,  rememberin' 
what  I  'd  heard  Captain  Ike  say,  an'  I  proposed  that 
we  make  a  partnership.  He  jumped  at  the  idea; 
decided  to  lay  the  Vera  up  here,  an'  take  it  all  in 
all,  has  n't  made  a  bad  trade,  seein'  's  how  he  might 
have  been  forced  to  pay  perhaps  three  thousand 
dollars  salvage.  I  've  sold  the  Sprite  at  a  fair 
figure,  an'  I'm  satisfied.  You  've  got  a  first-class 
show  of  makin'  a  good  many  dollars  in  the  next  few 
years,  an'  you  ought  to  be  satisfied." 

"  Satisfied!  "  Stephen  repeated;  "  I'mas  near  to 
being  crazy  with  joy  as  Captain  Ike  believed  you 
were!  I  can't  make  it  seem  possible  that  so  much 
good  fortune  has  come  to  us." 

"  It  has  been  earned,  lad,  an'  that  fairly,"  the 
merchant  replied,  decisively.  "  You  have  been  a 
good  son,  an  honest  worker,  and  a  faithful  partner. 
Unless  I  'd  known  that  much,  I  never  should  have 
made  the  proposition  to  Mr.  Hamilton  that  he  and 
I  join  you  in  the  business.  It  is  his  idea  that  your 
family  had  better  move  over  here,  in  the  new  house 
which  is  to  be  built,  an'  I  agree  with  him.  Your 
mother  will  make  a  home  for  you  an'  Ike  Dyer,  an' 
I  '11  set  a  man  at  work  on  the  Jordan  homestead, 
with  the  guaranty  that  it  shall  be  a  profitable  farm 
before  three  years  go  by.     Now  we  '11  get  supper, 


308  Lobster  Catchers. 

an'  then  I  reckon  it  '11  be  time  for  me  to  go.  I  did 
count  on  stayin'  away  two  days  or  more;  but  that 
would  be  too  much  neglect  of  duty.  I  '11  get  some 
one  to  carry  me  to  the  station,  an'  you  must  manage 
affairs  here  alone  from  this  out." 

"  When  shall  you  come  again  ?  "  Stephen  asked. 

"  That  's  a  hard  question  to  answer,  seein'  's  how 
I  find  I  can't  stay  now,  after  having  made  all  arrange- 
ments to  take  a  holiday,  an'  feel  called  on  in  less 
than  seven  hours  to  sneak  back  to  business.  Better 
run  down  to  see  your  mother  to-morrow,  and  after 
that,  it  will  be  a  good  idea  to  stay  here  on  the  spot 
until  the  workmen  have  finished  their  job." 

The  "  farm  "  is  n't  fairly  under  way  as  these 
lines  are  being  written,  therefore  it  is  really  impos- 
sible to  tell  very  much  more  about  the  partners,  or 
the  Jethro  Dearing  venture;  but  later,  when  the 
scheme  shall  have  proven  a  success  or  a  failure,  the 
result  of  the  experiment  shall  be  made  known. 

THE   END. 


